Times are changing and so are things, ways, and activities. CT residents can now use SNAP benefits to order groceries online. Very interesting you would say and yes, it is. With the evolving technology and the restricted movement of citizens, ordering food items (grocery), and even having them delivered to your doorstep using the SNAP benefits EBT cards are now an option available to the residents of Connecticut. There are, however, restrictions to the extent of the use of these SNAP EBT cards. Keep on reading to learn all about how to use these cards and where to use them.
CT Residents Can Now Use SNAP Benefits To Order Groceries Online
Connecticut is a state in the United States of America that also partakes in SNAP to assists the residents of the state that are in need of the benefits SNAP can provide. During the lockdown of the state due to the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of residents in the state have become SNAP beneficiaries and recipients.
Related: SNAP Eligibility – Maximum Monthly Income Limits For SNAP | Maximum Monthly Allotment From SNAP
SNAP is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that is funded by the federal government to provide support people (citizens) who find it difficult to get healthy meals for their daily nutritious growth with means to nutritious meals. The program is mainly directed to people who are living below the 130% of the federal poverty guideline. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides benefits like food assistance and cash assistance. These benefits are used to get food items that are approved only by the program at approved stores and retailers.
The benefits are given to the beneficiaries on a debit-like card called the EBT cards. THE EBT card is an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that authorizes payments for purchases by transferring funds from the federal accounts directly into the retailer’s account.
Stores That Allow Online Payment With SNAP EBT Cards
As earlier mentioned, there are some limitations/restrictions to the use of the SNAP EBT cards for online grocery shopping in Connecticut. There are a few numbers of stores where the online shopping with EBT cards are approved for. The approved stores are;
- Amazon,
- Walmart, and
- Shoprite.
All across the state, only 12 Walmart stores, 22 ShopRite stores and Amazon are the only approved store where the benefits can be used to shop for groceries online. Other store include;
- FreshDirect
- Kroger
- The Fresh Grocer
- Safeway
- Hy-Vee
- Dash’s Market
- Wright’s Market
- Schwann’s.
These are some of the stores that allow the use of EBT cards to make online grocery purchases in other states outside Connecticut.
Must Read: Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP Eligibility
Approved Pay With EBT Online
Paying with EBT online is very similar to using your usual debit card or credit card. Only food benefits are used for online shopping. all that is needed to do go to the participating store online portal and pick out the grocery items you want and buy.
You have to option of doorstep delivery and store pick up. If you choose the option of store pick up, you have to be present at the shop with your EBT card and ID for payment when picking up the order. For doorstep delivery, you can pay online too, or pay on delivery. Either way, you have to be present at your delivery address to receive your order. Your EBT card would be processed for payment at the time of delivery where you would be asked to impute your card PIN to complete the payment process.
Approved SNAP Food Items
When making purchases with your SNAP EBT card, you have to make sure you are buying only the approved food items to avoid a case of fraud. The approved list of food items are;
- Meat.
- Fish.
- Poultry.
- Bread.
- Cereals.
- Vegetables.
- Fruits.
- Steak and deli meats.
- Dairy products.
- Snacks crackers.
- Ice cream.
- Candy.
- Cookies.
- Seeds and plants that can produce food for the household.
- Cakes.
- Energy drinks (the ones that a nutrition label).
- Soft drinks.
- Bakery items.
- Pumpkins (the ones that are edible).
- Live seafood (such as lobster, fish, and shellfish).
Making purchase for any other items outside this list of foods, payment may not be approved for it neither would a retailer accept payment for the following items;
- Medicines.
- Vitamins.
- Household supplies.
- Grooming items and.
- Cosmetics.
- Hot food.
- Tobacco products like tobacco and cigarettes.
- Alcoholic beverages like liquor, wine, etc.
- Nonfood items.
- Pet food.
- Soaps.
- Paper products.
These are the list of items a beneficiary of the SNAP program should not buy using the SNAP EBT card received from the program.
Recommended: Applying for EBT Food Stamps – Food Stamps | EBT Food Stamps | How To Apply For EBT Food Stamps
