How To Use SNAP Benefits for Purchases

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When it comes to feeding your family, you want to be able to do so affordably and efficiently, especially with food costs skyrocketing. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or often referred to as food stamps, is a federally funded, state-administered program available for low-income individuals and families to help pay for nutritious food and beverages, ingredients and seeds that can grow your own sustainable garden. Keep reading to learn more about how you can use these benefits for your everyday grocery needs.

Step-by-Step Guide To Buying Stuff With Your EBT Cards

SNAP benefits are issued in the form of debit cards are called Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. If you are eligible for SNAP and received your EBT card online, here are a few steps to take to buy eligible food items.

• Step 1: Find SNAP-authorized retailers where you can use your card, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, online retailers and other stores that accept SNAP. You can also use your EBT card online through participating retailers. 
• Step 2: Make sure to learn about SNAP eligibility when it comes to what foods are covered. For example, you can typically purchase a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, bread and cereal, but items may vary by store or state. 
• Step 3: Head to checkout and use your EBT card at the point of sale (POS) terminal like you would a debit card and enter your pin when prompted. (If you received your EBT card in the mail, you will receive your PIN separately in the mail a few days later.)
• Step 4: Check your receipt to show that everything you purchased with SNAP is correct, and to check your remaining balance you have left with your benefits.

Keep in mind that not every expense qualifies for SNAP. For example, alcohol, cigarettes or pet food can’t be purchased with your EBT card, also your benefits won’t cover delivery fees or shipping charges should you order something online. However, you can still make online purchases through participating mobile apps or retailers that offer secure PIN entry. 

Simply put, to use your SNAP benefits, simply shop at a store, retailer or farmer’s market that accepts SNAP and use your EBT card like you would any debit or credit card. Keep your PIN safe and do not give that number to anyone. The only way someone can access your SNAP benefits is by using your EBT card with your PIN.

The way that SNAP EBT works is that when your card is used for a purchase at any authorized retailer, the funds on your card are debited to reimburse the store for what you’ve purchased. According to the Food and Nutrition Service’s website, EBT is used in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Final Take To GO: Are There Changes Happening With SNAP?

The bottom line is that though there have been many political murmurs as to what is happening with assistance programs, no concrete changes have been made as of yet. However, potential cuts to benefits have been proposed and may include stricter work requirements for “able-bodied adults without dependents”, chip-enabled EBT cards to improve security and changes to eligibility rules.

Here are some key takeaways: 

• Congress is considering converting SNAP into a block grant and having states pay a share of benefits, which is a proposal supported by the Republican Study Committee’s budget plan. 
• If this passes, it would severely limit access to this assistance in times of economic crisis, which will hurt lower-income families the most.
• If the farm bill is reauthorized, it could slash future benefits for all participants by more than $30 billion over 10 years through limiting future adjustments to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which is used to calculate benefits when you apply for SNAP.

Dawn Allcot contributed to the reporting for this article.

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