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Understanding SNAP Benefits and Online Shopping

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to help people purchase food. As of 2024, approximately 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits each month. What many people don't realize is that SNAP benefits can be used to shop for groceries online, not just in physical stores.

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SNAP benefits work through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which functions similar to a debit card. When you use your EBT card to purchase food items at authorized retailers, the cost is deducted from your monthly benefit balance. The types of foods you can purchase with SNAP include fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy products, breads and cereals, and snack foods. Non-food items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, and prepared hot foods cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

Online shopping with SNAP has expanded significantly over the past several years. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began allowing retailers to accept SNAP benefits for online orders and delivery. This means you can now browse products from home, add items to your cart, pay with your EBT card, and have groceries delivered to your address or pick them up at a store location. This option has been particularly useful for people with mobility challenges, those living in rural areas with limited store access, elderly individuals, and people managing multiple responsibilities.

The online shopping feature works the same way as in-store purchases—only SNAP-eligible food items can be purchased. Your EBT card information is entered during checkout, similar to using a credit or debit card online. The transaction is processed in real-time, and your benefit balance updates immediately. Different retailers may have different policies about delivery fees, minimum order amounts, or which areas they serve, so it's important to research what's available in your location.

Practical takeaway: If you receive SNAP benefits, research which online retailers in your area accept EBT cards. Major grocery chains, regional supermarkets, and some specialty food retailers now participate in online SNAP shopping. Check the retailer's website or call customer service to confirm they accept EBT for online orders in your ZIP code.

Major Retailers That Accept SNAP for Online Orders

Several large grocery retailers have made SNAP online shopping available to millions of customers. Amazon Fresh, one of the largest online grocery services, began accepting SNAP benefits in 2020 and now serves customers in numerous states. Walmart, which operates both physical stores and an online grocery service, accepts SNAP for online purchases and offers delivery and pickup options. Kroger, operating under various regional names including Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and Smith's, accepts EBT for online orders in many markets. Target's grocery section also accepts SNAP benefits for online purchase and pickup.

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Regional grocery chains have also expanded their online SNAP acceptance. Instacart, a popular grocery delivery service, partnered with retailers to enable SNAP payment starting in 2022. You can use Instacart to order from partner stores like Safeway, Whole Foods, Kroger locations, and local grocery stores depending on your area. The process involves selecting your local store, browsing available items, and paying with your EBT card at checkout. Delivery fees and service fees apply but are paid separately from your SNAP benefits—these fees must be covered by another payment method.

Smaller regional chains and local grocery stores are gradually adding online SNAP capability. The availability varies significantly by location, with urban and suburban areas generally having more options than rural regions. Some independent grocery stores and cooperative markets have also begun accepting SNAP online. The USDA maintains information about which retailers participate in online SNAP shopping, though this information changes regularly as more companies join the program.

When evaluating retailers, consider factors beyond just SNAP acceptance. Look at delivery fees (which can range from free to $10 or more), service fees (typically 5-10% of your order), minimum order requirements, delivery timeframes, and whether they offer pickup options. Some retailers waive delivery fees for orders over a certain amount or for members of paid loyalty programs. Comparing these costs across retailers in your area can help you find the most economical option for your household.

Practical takeaway: Check multiple retailers' websites to see which ones serve your area and accept EBT for online orders. Look for retailers that offer free or low-cost delivery, have reasonable minimum order requirements, and stock the foods your household needs. Many offer first-time customer promotions that can reduce initial delivery costs.

How to Set Up and Use Your EBT Card for Online Shopping

Before you can shop online with SNAP benefits, you need an active EBT card. Your EBT card is issued by your state and contains your SNAP benefits loaded as digital funds. Each state operates its own EBT system, though they all function similarly. When you receive SNAP benefits, your state mails you a physical card that looks like a credit card or debit card. Benefits are typically loaded onto this card once per month, on a specific date that varies by state.

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To find out when your benefits are loaded, check your state's SNAP website or contact your local SNAP office. Some states provide online account management systems where you can view your balance, transaction history, and benefit deposit dates. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card to check your balance at any time. Many retailers' customer service lines also allow you to check your balance before shopping.

Setting up online shopping with your EBT card is straightforward. Visit a retailer's website that accepts SNAP, create an account, and add your EBT card information during checkout just as you would with a credit or debit card. You'll need to enter the card number, expiration date, and security code. Most retailers process this information securely using the same encryption technology as traditional credit card processors. Your EBT card information is not stored on retailer websites—it's transmitted directly to payment processors for security.

When making an online purchase, you'll select which payment method to use at checkout. If the retailer charges service or delivery fees, these fees must be paid with a different payment method (credit card, debit card, or digital payment service) since SNAP benefits can only be used for SNAP-eligible food items. Many retailers clearly separate the SNAP-eligible items total from the fees total to make this clear. Review your order confirmation carefully to ensure the correct items were charged to your EBT card and fees were charged to your other payment method.

Practical takeaway: Before making your first online purchase, know your EBT card number and current balance. Review the retailer's payment process to understand what will be charged to your EBT card versus what will be charged to another payment method. Keep your receipts to track spending and reconcile against your EBT statement.

What Foods You Can and Cannot Purchase with SNAP Online

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a wide variety of food items intended for home preparation and consumption. Fruits and vegetables—both fresh and frozen—are always eligible, including apples, broccoli, carrots, frozen berries, and canned vegetables. Meat, poultry, and fish including beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and salmon are eligible. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter qualify. Breads and cereals including whole wheat bread, rice, oatmeal, and pasta are eligible. Pantry staples like beans, nuts, oils, and condiments qualify. Snack foods including chips, cookies, and crackers are eligible, though some states may have restrictions on certain items.

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The key rule for SNAP eligibility is that items must be unprepared food meant for preparation at home. This means you can buy raw vegetables but not salad bar items prepared in the store. You can purchase ingredients to make soup but not soup sold hot from a deli counter. The item doesn't need to be fresh—frozen and canned food items are fully eligible and often more budget-friendly. Seeds and plants that produce food items are also eligible, allowing people to grow their own produce.

Items that cannot be purchased with SNAP include prepared or ready-to-eat foods, whether sold hot or cold. This means you cannot use SNAP to buy rotisserie chicken, prepared salads, hot pizza, deli meats sold hot, or grab-and-go sandwiches. Alcohol and tobacco products are never eligible. Non-food items cannot be purchased with SNAP, including cleaning supplies, paper products, personal hygiene items, vitamins, and medicines, even though some online retailers sell these items. Pet food cannot