Pennsylvania joins pilot program allowing SNAP users to buy groceries online
Pennsylvania will participate in a pilot program allowing recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to purchase their groceries online through participating retailers.
“Many people have been purchasing groceries online to facilitate social distancing, but SNAP recipients were not able to do so due to federal restrictions on SNAP and e-commerce, ” Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller said. “In most cases, SNAP recipients do not have flexibility to use online purchasing for grocery delivery or curbside pickup, potentially putting health and safety at risk during this health crisis.”
The state received federal approval from the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to join the program. DHS officials are working with their electronic benefit transfer vendor and approved retailers to make systematic changes that will allow online payment for Pennsylvania SNAP recipients.
Because of testing and validation measures, DHS expects SNAP users will be able to start buying groceries online at the beginning of June.
Delivery fees, driver tips and other associated charges may not be paid with SNAP benefits. The pilot program includes three approved retailers: Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. Retailers interested in participating must contact the Food and Nutrition Service. Retailers that do not join the program are able to offer similar service by using mobile EBT processing equipment when groceries are delivered or picked up, and farmers markets may also be able to receive the processing equipment at no cost through a DHS grant opportunity.
“We are in the midst of both a public health crisis and an economic crisis, but DHS is here to offer financial support to make sure that everyone gets through,” Miller said. ““Help is always available for Pennsylvanians who are having trouble accessing food during this public health crisis, and help will be available in the recovery period to follow.”
DHS is continuing to process SNAP applications at Compass.state.pa.us.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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