Accept Snap / EBT Transactions Online!

Understanding The Process

What is SNAP?

SNAP is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Also known as food stamps, SNAP is the largest federal nutrition program that provides eligible individuals and families with financial assistance towards food purchases. This year over 180 Billion Federal dollars in 2022 and will be spent in qualified businesses in person and Online and over 202 Billion in 2023.

Since 2002, SNAP benefit holders have been making payments in-store with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards that can be swiped at the checkout counter. In response to the growth of e-commerce, though, and particularly online grocery ordering, the USDA launched its Online Ordering Pilot for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 2019. This two-year program was rolled out so that SNAP cardholders could begin using their SNAP EBT card when buying groceries from SNAP-certified online retailers.

Be one of the first to join the USDA – SNAP Online Ordering Pilot

Since the USDA rolled out its Online Ordering Pilot, not only has online grocery ordering surged in popularity due to COVID-19, but the federal government has also drastically increased its funding of SNAP in order to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s widely expected that even after the pandemic subsides and customers feel safer returning to stores, they will continue to appreciate the convenience of online grocery ordering. Joining the SNAP Online Ordering Pilot will not only help your business in these current times, but it will future-proof your business for many years to come.

How can my business get started accepting SNAP EBT payments?

Submit Your Letter of Intent to the USDA

If you’re a SNAP retailer in a participating state who is willing and able to comply with SNAP’s Online requirements, you are eligible to join the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Well over half of U.S. states are now participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot, with more states joining all the time.

In order to confirm that you are able to meet all of the SNAP Online requirements, you will need to submit a Letter of Intent to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Click here for more information

How to get SNAP EBT approval from the USDA

First you business needs to sell approved products that you can spend your SNAP EBT dollars on. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items

First you need to apply and qualify for your in person FNS number. You can click the link below to review the 11 steps document that will walk you through the the process..

Secondly The online FNS number that will be required for your Online FNS number is much more in depth and can take 12 to 16 months or more to complete all documents, qualifying website along with the USDA specified payment processes that will be required.

The PND Solution can reduce the development time and approval process for your SNAP EBT Online pilot program application. PND can work directly with your development team or create the entire platform for you, walk you through step by step from the application submittal, to launch of your approved website.