EBT Online Purchase Program
In the midst of this crisis, it’s important that the most vulnerable members of our communities continue to have access to food. To adapt to the challenges of this public health emergency, FNS launched the online purchasing program, which allows SNAP recipients to use their EBT card online to purchase groceries. On the FNS website they state they are "granting states significant program flexibilities and contingencies to best serve program participants across our 15 nutrition assistance programs."
Online purchasing was originally deemed a potential lifeline for SNAP participants living in urban neighborhoods. The 2014 Farm Bill mandated a pilot to allow retail food stores to accept SNAP benefits through online transactions. The goal was to ensure that the foundation was secure to run SNAP transactions online. The pilot would have involved at least five online retailers in at least three states.
The program is currently operating in 16 states with Wisconsin being the latest state FNS has expanded access to the online food purchase program, with several other states currently in the planning process. Currently, Amazon and Walmart are the only retailers accepting EBT online, with the exceptions of New York and Alabama, where people can also shop at ShopRite and Wright’s Markets, respectively. With this program you can still buy the same approved food items you would usually buy in-store. Retailers will display a SNAP-EBT logo for food items you can buy online.
There are some limitations that do come with the program. One of which is only eligible food may be purchased with SNAP benefits and delivery fees and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. However, twelve states are now in the process of applying for a waiver from the USDA that would allow disability SNAP recipients to use their benefits for online grocery shopping and delivery.
Any SNAP-eligible retailers can participate in this program if they meet the online purchasing requirements. FNS put together an online template guiding states and interested retailers that want to operate online purchasing to ease the process.
For up to date information about the online purchase program you can visit the FNS website.
