If you’re receiving SNAP benefits you can use them in-store locally or you can shop with them online. Many of the largest retailers in the United States like Walmart, Target, and other grocery retailers now allow people to shop online with SNAP cards. Services like Instacart also allow people to shop online with SNAP benefits. If you live in an area without easy access to grocery stores using SNAP online will make it easier for you to purchase groceries.
Is this available in all states?
Not all states have begun allowing people who are receiving SNAP benefits to shop online for food. Some version of online purchasing is available in most states, however full online shopping opportunities for SNAP recipients is not yet available in all states. The USDA’s website is updated often and it’s a great way to find out what retailers are accepting SNAP online in your state.
Popular Online Stores
Some of the most popular retailers allow people to shop online with their SNAP cards. How it works for most retailers is that you fill up your cart, add your SNAP card number, and then use a secondary credit or debit card to pay for anything that isn’t eligible for SNAP.
If you’re shopping for local pickup or delivery from a local grocery store you can still use SNAP. However, you will have to pay out of pocket for any delivery or other fees. SNAP benefits do not cover delivery or shipping fees.
If you’re shopping on Amazon with your SNAP card you will need to go into your Amazon account before you shop and add your SNAP number to your account. You can find out how to do that here. But Amazon does allow people to buy all eligible SNAP items with SNAP online.
In addition to Amazon you can use SNAP to shop online at:
- Walmart – Walmart stores throughout the country accept SNAP online.
- Target- Target stores throughout the country accept SNAP online.
- Safeway- Safeway is a grocery chain owned by Albertson’s. Safeway stores can be found in 18 states, mostly in the West.
- ShopRite- ShopRite stores are discount grocery stores that can be found in six Eastern and New England states. ShopRite stores accept SNAP in-store or online.
- Instacart
- Hy-Vee
- Stop And Shop
- Kroger
- Save-A-Lot
And more.
What are you able to buy?
Just like in-store websites that accept SNAP benefits will have a note in the listing or next to the item photo that indicates an item is eligible to be purchased with SNAP. In general, you can use SNAP benefits to buy any items that are:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for any items that are:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale
- Any nonfood items such as:
- Pet foods
- Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
- Hygiene items, cosmetics
Any items that you want to purchase online that are not eligible for SNAP you will need to pay for using a secondary credit or debit card.
