Your SNAP EBT card can be used to buy SNAP eligible grocery items which are shipped and sold by Amazon, Amazon Fresh, or from the Whole Foods Market. However, you can’t use it to cover tips, delivery, shipping, service fees, gift wrap, food items sold by third-party sellers, and non-eligible grocery items. The USDA website provides further information on eligible food items.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the biggest federal nutrition assistance program. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Authorized retail food stores like Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods market accept SNAP EBT card to buy groceries with.
Amazon Fresh/Grocery/Whole Foods
Amazon Fresh is like a typical grocery store as it delivers perishable, shelf-stable and household products in the usual everyday package sizes which are only available in certain regions. Amazon Fresh is usually just available to Prime members. However, recently Amazon has made the Amazon Fresh selection available to customers who buy groceries with a SNAP EBT card in eligible regions without having paid Prime membership fees.
Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible for this benefit program, applicants must live in the state in which they apply and meet certain bank balance limits. A household with an elderly person over 60 years or a disabled household member may have a higher bank balance limit.
In order to be eligible for free delivery on Amazon Fresh orders, you need to buy $35 or more of eligible items. It is not possible to use your SNAP EBT card to pay for shipping fee if you do not meet the order minimum and you will need to provide another form of payment. Customers may schedule their preferred delivery time within a 1 or 2-hour delivery window, as early as the same day.
Groceries on Amazon
Groceries on Amazon include pantry staples, shelf-stable food and household items. There is no minimum spend for Prime members to receive free shipping. If you are not a Prime member, you can receive free delivery on Amazon.com grocery orders by buying $25 or more of eligible items.
You may also place a smaller order but you will need to pay a shipping fee. Your SNAP EBT card cannot be used to pay for the shipping fee if you do not meet the order minimum so you will need to provide another form of payment.
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer. Whole Foods Market on Amazon offers many of the same products found in its Whole Foods Market stores. Grocery pickup is free on orders of $35+. All delivery orders will include a $9.95 service fee. Your SNAP EBT funds cannot be used to pay for the service fee.
Pantry Staples with “SNAP EBT Eligible”
Pantry goods can be a good use of SNAP because they are:
- shelf stable;
- inexpensive;
- a good source of nutrients.
What do you need to know?
- there are minimum purchases;
- not all costs, like shipping or tips can be paid with EBT
Can you get a discount?
- Yes, you can get 50% discounted prime if you are on EBT
- Amazon is currently running a discount of $10 off $25 when you pay with EBT
Amazon offers many healthy options that are eligible to be purchased with SNAP/EBT benefits.
