*FNS is currently determining the eligibility requirements for Online-Only retailers. Currently, SEMTAC is helping Online-Only retailers submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) to let FNS know they are interested in applying for SNAP Online, and we can help Online-Only retailers understand the technical requirements for SNAP Online. SEMTAC has created a fillable Letter of Intent (LOI) to help with this process, linked here.
If you are interested in applying for SNAP Online as a Direct Marketing Farmer, we recommend you reach out to MarketLink for more information on their program for farmers. Any questions? SEMTAC can help.
MarketLink assists farmers markets and direct marketing farmers with the SNAP Retailer and SNAP Online Retailer Applications and connects them with a free app-based SNAP/EBT processing system or a web-based eCommerce platform to accept SNAP Online.
If you are a Farmers Market, contact MarketLink-National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) for assistance with your FNS authorization and SNAP technology. Most farmers markets are not eligible for SNAP Online due to the requirement that retailers must own the inventory you sell.
SNAP authorization is required for all brick and mortar stores applying to accept SNAP Online.
Visit FNS’ SNAP Retailer webpages for more information. You can also speak with a representative at the SNAP Retailer Service Center by calling 1-877-823-4369, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday to Friday.
Staple foods are basic foods that make up a large part of a person’s diet. They are usually cooked at home and eaten as a meal. The four staple food categories are:
Learn more about SNAP retailer eligibility and staple foods requirements.
FNS also has a helpful video explaining more information about staple food requirements.
There are requirements that retailers sell staple foods in certain quantities, varieties or amounts to qualify to accept SNAP. Staple foods do not include accessory foods, heated foods, or prepared foods. Accessory foods are snacks, desserts, or other items that complement or supplement a meal, such as beverages or spices.
SNAP Accessory Foods List: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer/accessory-foods
See more information about SNAP retailer eligibility and staple foods requirements here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer/eligible
If you have a brick-and-mortar location, being authorized to accept SNAP in your store is required before beginning the SNAP Online onboarding process. Visit FNS’ SNAP Retailer webpages for more information. If you have questions, contact the SNAP Retailer Service Center at 1-877-823-4369 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday – Friday to speak with a representative.
Once you have your brick-and-mortar SNAP authorization and an operating eCommerce website where SNAP eligible items are being sold, you can begin the SNAP Online onboarding process. The first step is preparing a Letter of Intent (LOI) and submitting it to the USDA/FNS SNAP Online team via email (sm.fn.snaponline@usda.gov). For more information, visit our LOI guidance document. SEMTAC has also created a fillable Letter of Intent (LOI) to help with this step linked here.
To see a further breakdown of the USDA FNS SNAP Online onboarding process, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you run into questions and would like help, reach out to Get Support.
SEMTAC is focused on SNAP/EBT Online. We can provide assistance with the SNAP Online FNS application process, website technical requirements, and general questions about SNAP Online to:
*FNS is currently determining the eligibility requirements for Online-Only retailers. Currently, SEMTAC is helping Online-Only retailers submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) to let FNS know they are interested in applying for SNAP Online, and we can help Online-Only retailers understand the technical requirements for SNAP Online. SEMTAC has created a fillable Letter of Intent (LOI) to help with this process, linked here.
FNS is still determining eligibility requirements for online-only retailers.
In the meantime, SEMTAC can help you understand the technical requirements and submit your Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply for SNAP Online. Check out our LOI template and reach out to us for support.
If an online order paid for through SNAP is out of stock, SNAP Online Purchasing allows for a PIN-less refund. The refund can be initiated in the retailer’s system, and the transaction data will tie the refund back to the original purchase.
Retailers must follow the SNAP refund regulations and may not issue refunds for SNAP purchases using cash, credit, or gift cards. SNAP must be refunded to SNAP.
Online purchasing will work for EBT cardholders in states that have updated their EBT systems for their cardholders. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are now participating in SNAP Online. Online retailers may limit their delivery/shipping locations, but currently all SNAP participants in the U.S. should be able to use their EBT cards to purchase from retailers in every state and D.C., keeping in mind that not all retailers offer delivery or shipping to all states or locations.
For example, an EBT card from New York may be used in New Jersey and the reverse (the transactions are “interoperable”). However, the New Jersey retailer would be responsible for delivering the purchases to the New York cardholder through the delivery processes the retailer supports (e.g., store pickup, local delivery). If the cardholder is outside the delivery area for the retailer, their online order should be denied.
According to FNS regulations, retailers cannot require a minimum SNAP EBT purchase amount. This applies to online orders paid in full or partially with SNAP.
The retailer may charge a fee for delivery or pickup, as long as the fee is not charged to the SNAP account. Further, if pickup and delivery are options, the retailer can set an order minimum for options such as free delivery or free pickup; you can’t require the customer to pay a minimum dollar amount per order to pick up or receive delivery for online orders paid in full or partially with SNAP EBT.
A retailer can do the following, if implemented across all customers:
According to the USDA’s SNAP Equal Treatment Provision, online pricing must be the same for all online customers, SNAP or non-SNAP. Online prices do not need to be the same as in-store prices. See below:
7 CFR 274.7(f) and 278.2(b) SNAP benefits shall be accepted for eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same store, except that tax shall not be charged on eligible foods purchased with SNAP benefits. No retail food store may single out SNAP clients for special treatment in any way.
Retailers are not required to accept EBT Cash Benefits. However, retailer websites must be able to accept split tender payments so that some form of payment can be accepted for non-SNAP eligible items and/or delivery fees.
Retailers must contract and pay for PIN encryption services as part of their SNAP Online participation. As with any aspect of their EBT payment solution (e.g., choice of point-of-sale provider, of web service provider, or of third party processor), the choice of a PIN encryption provider is up to the retailer.
FNS is supportive of other companies and alternative secure PIN encryption solutions for online purchases. Currently, Fiserv, Forage, and Worldpay are the only FNS-approved secure PIN encryption solution providers. FNS cannot speak to other potential provider’s timelines.
A variety of approved eCommerce platforms have enabled SNAP Online for their retailers.
Each individual SNAP Online retailer—even those using the same eCommerce platform used by other authorized SNAP Online retailers—needs to be approved by FNS. Learn more at How to Apply.
Yes, this is quite common. FNS will issue a separate FNS number to stores for their online sales than the FNS number used for a brick-and-mortar location. There are currently three third party processors (TPPs) offering a secure online PIN solution for SNAP Online: Fiserv, WorldPay, and Forage. FNS welcomes additional Online PIN solutions. See our TPP reference document for more information.
There are several steps in the process of becoming a SNAP Online retailer. After a retailer has been approved, you must internally test their system to be sure it meets all the program requirements.
The sooner FNS receives a retailer’s completed test logs from their internal testing, the sooner you will be added to the FNS testing queue.
eCommerce providers who have a proven track record of having no high-severity issues during testing are eligible for abbreviated testing. FAST is made up of three tiers of testing, each with subsequently fewer testing requirements. Learn more.
