With mobile payment technology, people can buy groceries by tapping or scanning a personal device like a smartphone, tablet, or smart watch instead of a credit card. With USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, five states are testing SNAP EBT mobile payment technology. In the next few years, SNAP participants in Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma are expected to have the option to use mobile payments.
The goal is to determine whether mobile payment technology should be authorized nationwide. If so, FNA will make an announcement and invite new applicants. For more information visit USDA’s Mobile Payment’s Pilot webpage.
What Grocers Can Do Now
Before SNAP Mobile Payments can begin to be accepted by retailers, stores’ point-of-sale machines must be updated to accept EBT chip cards. Visit our EBT chip webpage for more information about SEMTAC’s involvement with EBT chip.
