A merchant asked whether Clover can automatically recognize when an EBT card is used and then, with absolutely no cashier involvement, automatically:
Apply EBT tender only to EBT-eligible items, and
Apply a secondary non-EBT payment automatically for the remaining balance,
all based purely on the card that is presented during checkout.
Clover does not support fully automated EBT tendering. This means Clover cannot detect the card type and automatically run EBT without the cashier pressing the EBT payment button. Clover’s payment engine is closed, and developers do not have access to any API or system event that allows:
Auto-triggering EBT when an EBT card is tapped, inserted, or swiped
Auto-splitting a transaction into EBT vs non-EBT totals
Auto-running the second non-EBT payment
Fully removing cashier interaction from the checkout flow
The cashier must always manually choose the EBT payment option on Clover.
While Clover cannot automate tender selection, Inventory Plus Plus solves the operational side by ensuring all EBT rules are enforced automatically at the item level:
You designate which items are EBT-eligible
The app blocks non-EBT items from being purchased with EBT tender
It ensures the cashier cannot accidentally mix or misapply EBT
It eliminates EBT-related errors and protects compliance
So although Clover cannot automatically trigger EBT based on the card alone, Inventory Plus Plus ensures the EBT portion of the transaction is handled correctly and consistently every time.
Clover cannot auto-detect an EBT card
Clover cannot auto-run EBT payments
Clover cannot auto-split EBT vs non-EBT
Inventory Plus Plus ensures compliance and correct item-level handling
Cashier interaction is still required for selecting the EBT tender type on Clover