EBT Cards: Where You Can Shop Using Free Food Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides government-funded cash benefits to pay for groceries. SNAP benefits are a lifeline for many people to avoid going hungry. You might recognize this program as food stamps. EBT card stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer card, and it is how you receive your benefits. Millions of people in the United States use EBT cards to pay for food. EBT cards look like typical debit cards, and you use them in the same way too. 

In the past couple of years, the United States Department of Agriculture expanded SNAP so that it is able to be used to purchase groceries online. If you are struggling to pay for food during the pandemic, you may be able to receive government assistance to buy food without ever stepping foot in a store. Discover the most common grocery stores that accept SNAP and allow you to use EBT cards to buy food online.

1
Where to Use EBT in the Northeast
1 of 4 Next

The Northeastern region of the United States is best known for the changing seasons and long history. The states in this region also host countless SNAP friendly grocery stores and retailers. The northeast consists of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. 

One of the top online retailers, Amazon, allows you to use your EBT card for groceries from Amazon Freshand Amazon Pantry. There is free shipping for orders more than $35 except for New York residents who have a $50 minimum order for free shipping. Unfortunately, you cannot use Amazon’s grocery services if you live in Maine. You can participate in Amazon Pantry in most major cities, like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.

Walmart also accepts EBT cards for purchasing SNAP-qualified groceries. You can also order your food online for pickup in almost all northeastern states, except Maine and New Jersey. Select areas offer grocery delivery to your home. 

The northeastern grocery chain, ShopRite, is one of the biggest grocery stores that allow you to use your EBT card online or in person. The store takes online orders in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. You can pick up your order in person, and some stores have delivery services. Shoprite does not have a minimum purchase amount you must meet.

The Fresh Grocer is part of the same company as Shoprite. It has about a dozen stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the grocer accepts online orders with an EBT card. You do not have to meet a minimum purchase amount to use your SNAP benefits for online pickup orders. Delivery is only available for select locations.If you live in either Bronx zip codes 10454 or 10455, you can use the New-York based grocery Fresh Direct. You must have a minimum purchase order of at least $30, but you will not have a delivery fee. However, it will not deliver to apartments above the fifth floor unless there is a working elevator. 

1 of 4 Next

By Admin