Unexpected occurrences on a national and personal scale can push people into poverty in a matter of weeks or months. Food insecurity has been a problem in the United States for decades, and the epidemic has made it much more difficult for certain families to sustain themselves.
The anticipated yearly food insecurity rate in America—defined as a lack of continuous access to adequate food for a healthy life—has risen by 4.1% for adults and 4.9% for children since 2018, according to Feeding America’s autumn 2020 report.
Food stamps can aid families that cannot afford enough food to eat themselves, but users may not understand how to utilize them online. Learn how food stamps may benefit you and how to utilize them effectively online.
What are Food Stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supplies low-income people with food stamps that may be used to buy specific categories of food. SNAP is a government program run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which includes a network of local offices.
Eligibility for SNAP assistance is determined by state agencies, and you may discover your state using the USDA’s directory. If you apply online, you must first create an account and then fill out an online application. Most states accept paper applications, and you may be able to submit your application via mail or fax. Contact your state agency directly to learn more about the application procedure.
The maximum monthly food stamp help you may receive is determined on where you reside and the number of people in your home. The list below illustrates the different maximum aid amounts for a household of four:
Continental United States and Washington, D.C.: $835.
Alaska: $1,074–$1,667.
Hawaii costs $1,573
Guam: $1,231
US Virgin Islands: $1,0742.
It normally takes up to 30 days to determine if you are eligible for SNAP assistance. However, if your family has less than $150 in monthly gross income and less than $100 in liquid assets, or if your rent, mortgage, and utilities exceed this amount, you may qualify for approval within seven days.
Food stamps can be used to buy the following items: meat, chicken, and fish; vegetables and fruit; bread and cereal; dairy goods; snack foods; and food-producing seeds and plants. Food stamps cannot be used to purchase tobacco, wine, beer, liquor, vitamins, prepared food, or nonfood goods such as cosmetics, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
The Risks of Grocery Shopping during COVID-19
A regular supply of supplies is vital while hunkering down, but strolling around a grocery store can be hazardous during the coronavirus epidemic. This is due to the close-contact circumstances that occur in these surroundings.
One research done at a Boston grocery shop discovered that 20% of staff tested positive for coronavirus. The study, which appeared in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, also discovered that 76% of the workers who tested positive were asymptomatic.
The virus works both ways: because grocery store employees come into touch with so many diverse customers, they are more likely to infect them. For certain populations, acquiring COVID-19 is even more risky.
A research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicated that at least 25 million Americans living in low-income homes are at a greater risk of getting COVID-19.5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates purchasing groceries online or using curbside pickup as a safer way to receive them. Can you use food stamps to get groceries delivered or drive-up?
Where Can I Use Food Stamps Online?
There are several possibilities for those who wish to buy food online.
If you’re looking to purchase the groceries online but go into a store to collect, you can opt for collection at some Safeway, Vons, and Albertsons stores, if the specific store near you offers this option
If you want to have your groceries delivered, Walmart and Amazon enable you to use your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card—a payment mechanism used by SNAP participants—and choose delivery.
In fact, Shannon Payton, a licensed financial counselor at Payton financial Services, says she frequently suggests that food stamp clients use Walmart pickup.
During the pandemic, food stamps were provided to more families to feed the little ones who are home, This is a safer and effective way to shop, and not only will they load your trunk, but you can save on the bill by shopping from home—which lowers the risk of hunger shopping.
These are just a few of the businesses that accept food stamps for online purchasing (delivery or pickup):
Walmart
Amazon
Brands include Safeway, Vons, Albertsons, and Kroger.
ShopRite
FreshDirect Aldi
How to use food stamps for online grocery shopping.
The restrictions for utilizing food stamps online differ between retailers. For example, while buying on Amazon, you’ll first add your SNAP EBT card, then shop for food, and then input your EBT pin to pay for qualifying goods.
To order groceries for Walmart pickup, go online or use the Walmart grocery mobile app. When checking out, choose EBT as your payment option. When you arrive at the pickup area, the Walmart worker will scan your EBT card using a portable card reader.
Non-SNAP products can usually be included in the same purchase, but they must be paid for individually using a debit or credit card.
Other Methods to Get Online Shopping Assistance
There are alternative options for meeting your eating demands. For example, Full Cart offers an emergency food aid service that links people with groups that can bring food to their homes.
Many religious organizations offer food aid programs. They often enable you to fill out an application online—or simply show up on a set day—and they will deliver the goods to your vehicle. Some will even deliver groceries if you do not have vehicle.
