What is Amazon Fresh?
Amazon Fresh is a grocery pickup and delivery service which is typically available to Prime members or you can use the account of a Prime member as long as you have asked permission first. Amazon Fresh now accepts EBT and it is available in major U.S. cities and a few select cities worldwide.
Members are eligible to receive the free two-hour delivery as long as the order meets the local delivery order minimum. Amazon Fresh is currently invitation-only but if you live in an eligible city, you probably won’t have to wait too long to be approved. Once you have confirmed your membership you can expect to be able to use the same day delivery service immediately.
Types of Groceries Available for Purchase
Under the Amazon Fresh program, many consumable products can be purchased. This includes rice, dals, edible oils, ghee, flour, rice, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, canned vegetables, and pantry staples.
Other products like snacks, seeds, and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased as well. Personal care products like shampoos, soaps, moisturizers, diapers, cleaning supplies and pet food are also available on Amazon Fresh. What is offered is just the same as a standard grocery store.
Can You Use EBT and Fresh?
The Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is part of the 1996 federal welfare reform entitled Personal Responsibility Work Reconciliation Act. The act determined that food stamp coupons were too expensive to manufacture, distribute, and destroy. They also believed moving to an electronic system would reduce fraud. All states were required to implement and use EBT.
EBT is the benefit delivery system that allows CalFresh, CalWORKs, and other program recipients to use a card, much like a debit card, to access their food and cash benefits. Additionally, EBT cardholders are able to use their benefit cards for online purchasing at Safeway, Amazon and Walmart.
Typically Amazon Fresh is only available to Amazon prime members, but recently they started to accept EBT. Amazon now accepts SNAP EBT and P-EBT in all states except Alaska and Hawaii. If you register your EBT card with Amazon Fresh, you will be able to use the service without becoming a Prime member.
Your SNAP EBT card can be used to pay for SNAP eligible grocery items shipped and sold by Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, or from Whole Foods Market. It cannot be used to cover tips, delivery, shipping, and service fees, gift wrap, food items sold by third-party sellers, or non-eligible grocery items.
How to Pay for Amazon Fresh with SNAP
SNAP EBT funds can be used in all of the contiguous United States. Currently, those living in Alaska are not eligible to use SNAP EBT funds with Amazon Fresh.
- Click here to visit Amazon
- Make sure you are signed in to your Amazon account or create one.
- Select “Add your SNAP EBT card”.
- You will then be prompted to add your EBT card number. Click ‘continue’ and follow the instructions.
If you qualify for EBT, Amazon Fresh is a service that accepts payment and may be helpful in your specific situation.
