SNAP, or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, is a government program dedicated to providing families with nutritional food. It was previously referred to as “food stamps” and is the largest food assistance program in the United States. The monetary assistance from SNAP is loaded onto an EBT card, or Electronic Benefit Transfer Card. There are limitations to what can be purchased using an EBT card. In general, an EBT card cannot be used to purchase “hot, prepared meals.” This eliminates most restaurants or meal delivery.
Top Box is currently the only meal delivery service that accepts EBT. That is because Top Box is USDA-approved, and that is a requirement for a food delivery service to be EBT eligible. Other services like Hello Chef and Blue Apron are eligible, but they won’t accept EBT until they become USDA-approved.
In this article, we will discuss meal delivery services and stores that accept EBT payment, the cheapest options for meal delivery services, and more. Stick around for the details.
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Which Meal Delivery Service Accepts EBT?
There are several reasons why a SNAP recipient may need to participate in a meal delivery service. Whether it be a grocery store is too far away, or they want to save gas and time. With recent health circumstances such as the rise of Covid-19, meal delivery may be essential to some.
EBT cards usually cannot be used for “hot, prepared meals” but there is a Restaurant Meals Program by the USDA that permits some users to purchase meals from fast-food restaurants. Still, there are some other limitations when it comes to getting food delivered or ordering online.
Since meal delivery companies such as Blue Apron, Home Chef, and Hello Fresh deliver food ingredients to subscribers, this could be a loophole in the EBT system. However, these companies need to be approved by the USDA to use EBT as a form of payment. As we mentioned before, currently Top Box is the only meal delivery service that is USDA approved to accept EBT cards.
You may be wondering if you can get groceries delivered as a recipient of SNAP. In this day and age, there are apps that provide delivery services for things like groceries, essential home items, or quick meals to someone’s door. Think of the likes of Go Puff, Uber Eats, Grub Hub, and Door Dash. Currently, these delivery services also do not accept EBT cards as a form of payment. However, there are other options when it comes to getting delivery and paying with an EBT card.
Which Stores Accept EBT Online?
As mentioned previously, there are a number of reasons for SNAP recipients to want a delivery service for their meals. There are also benefits to ordering your groceries online as well. You can schedule a pick-up time to avoid crowds, lines, and dealing with the hassle of spending time grocery shopping.
Stores that Accept EBT Online
Luckily, there are many stores that accept EBT cards as a form of payment when ordering online. In 2019, the USDA put forth a program allowing the addition of EBT cards as an online payment option. Participating retailers vary by state. The USDA provides a state directory that lets you check which ones are available to you.
- Walmart – Walmart offers curbside pickup for groceries and grocery delivery services for SNAP recipients in 44 states
- Amazon – AmazonFresh and AmazonPantry apps accept EBT card payments in every state except for Montana, Louisiana, Alaska, and Hawaii. If you do not have a Prime account, you can qualify for free delivery with a minimum purchase amount
- Aldi – Aldi stores in 37 states allow SNAP beneficiaries to pay with their EBT cards as payment and receive delivery services
- BJ’s Wholesale Club – BJ’s accepts EBT cards in-store across all states. However, online EBT food delivery ordering is only available in North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
- Food Lion – accepts EBT card payments for online grocery deliveries as well as curbside pickup
- Kroger – Kroger accepts EBT card payments when you order online and offers free curbside pickup for orders exceeding $35
- Publix – Although Publix directly does not provide online ordering, you can use Instacart to get your groceries delivered, with EBT accepted as payment
- Safeway – Safeway only accepts EBT cards as payment in 10 states, and does not provide delivery services
- Shop Rite – ShopRite will accept EBT payments for both food delivery and grocery curbside pickup options in states such as Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York
Food Delivery Apps that Accept EBT
AmazonFresh and AmazonPantry apps accept EBT card payments in 46 states. Montana, Louisiana, Alaska, and Hawaii are the only exceptions. A delivery fee is charged but can be avoided if you meet a minimum purchase requirement.
Instacart also allows for EBT payment and delivery options. You can get your first three deliveries free using an EBT card when you spend $35 or more.
Food delivery apps such as Go Puff, Uber Eats, Grub Hub, and Door Dash do not accept EBT cards as a form of payment.
Can I Order Food Online with EBT?
SNAP recipients can use their EBT card to buy food online, but there are some restrictions. Groceries can be purchased online using EBT from retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, etc. Online orders can be delivered or picked up at the curbside depending on which store and state you are purchasing from.
Most foods are eligible for SNAP benefits. Foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, deli meats, chips, and snacks are all approved for purchase with an EBT card. However, you cannot purchase alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins or supplements, over-the-counter medicine, and prepared or hot foods.
We know that prepared meals are not eligible for EBT payment. This rules out online deliveries such as Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates.
Which Meal Delivery Service is Cheapest?
With meal delivery services not offering SNAP beneficiaries the option to pay using an EBT card, you may be wondering what the cheapest options are.
Take a look at the list below:
| Meal Delivery Service | Cost | Meal Plans Available |
|---|---|---|
| EveryPlate | $4.99 per serving with $9.99 shipping costs | Options range from feeding two to four people with three to six meals per week |
| Dinnerly | $4.99 per serving with $9.99 shipping costs | Options range from feeding two to four people with three to six meals per week |
| Daily Harvest | Cost per serving ranges from $5.99 to $11.99 depending on your selections with free shipping | Purchase boxes with as many items that fit your needs |
| Blue Apron | Price per serving ranges from $7.99 to $11.99 depending upon the number of meals you order per week with $9.99 shipping costs | You can feed two to four people with two, three or four meals per week |
| Hello Fresh | $7.99 per serving with $9.99 shipping costs | You can feed two to four people with two, three or four meals per week |
| Home Chef | $9.95 per serving and add-ons cost $4.95, shipping is $13.99 | Feed two, four or six people, and pick three or four meals per week |
How Much is a Week of HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is a meal delivery service provider that delivers fresh ingredients and new recipes to their subscribers’ doorsteps. The ingredients are perfectly portioned so no food goes to waste. Additionally, it gives the user a new recipe to try and keep for future use. This may help someone branch out of the comfort zone when it comes to trying new foods.
The cost of HelloFresh’s meal service starts at $7.99 per serving. The amount you spend per week will depend on the number of meals and people you are feeding, plus shipping. For example, 3 recipes a week for 2 people will cost $57.93
Why Are Some Food Items Not Eligible for Delivery Using EBT?
Purchasing food using SNAP benefits and an EBT card has some limitations involved.
As mentioned earlier, you cannot purchase alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins or supplements, over-the-counter medicine, and prepared or hot foods.
Some foods or items are not available, as well as some delivery services. This comes down to the state and company. In most cases, some delivery services are not available because on top of offering groceries, they also deliver alcohol and prepared meals. These items are not approved for purchase with an EBT.
A company such as GrubHub would have to go through the process of verifying which items are approved and which are not upon purchase.
Can You Buy NOS Energy Drinks with EBT?
When it comes to buying energy drinks using an EBT card, things can get tricky. Energy drinks can be purchased with an EBT card, but the label “Nutrition Facts” must be on the container. If the energy drink has a “Supplement Facts” label, it would be considered a supplement, which is not SNAP-eligible
Specifically, NOS energy drinks have a “Nutrition Facts” label, meaning they are eligible for purchase for SNAP beneficiaries. Other energy drinks that are approved are: Bang, C4, Monster, Red Bull, Reign, and Rockstar.