We have supported hundreds of grocers across the country and have provided answers to the most common questions we’ve received. If you have another question, please reach out!
Eligibility Requirements
Who is eligible for SNAP Online?
- SNAP authorized retailers who have a brick and mortar store and an active eCommerce site may apply by submitting an interest email to FNA. See “How to Apply”
- Online-Only retailers. Currently, SEMTAC is helping Online-Only retailers submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) to let FNA 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. See “Submitting your Letter of Intent” here.
For more details about the items that need to be in place when applying to accept SNAP Online, see our “SNAP Online Application Entry Criteria” guidance.
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 FNA 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 FNA’s 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.
Watch SEMTAC's video tutorial on Staple Food Requirements for SNAP Online
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:
- Vegetables or fruits
- Dairy products
- Meat, poultry, or fish
- Bread or cereals
Learn more about SNAP retailer eligibility and staple foods requirements.
FNA 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.fna.usda.gov/snap/retailer/accessory-foods
See more information about SNAP retailer eligibility and staple foods requirements here: https://www.fna.usda.gov/snap/retailer/eligible
How to Get Started
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. If you are not SNAP authorized, visit the Food & Nutrition Administration’s (FNA) SNAP Retailer webpages for more information.
If 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 submitting an interest email to USDA/FNA SNAP Online team (sm.fn.snaponline@usda.gov).
For more information, see our “How to Apply” page.
If you run into questions and would like help, reach out using our Get Support form.
SEMTAC is focused on SNAP/EBT Online and other SNAP EBT Modernization projects, like the conversion to EBT Chip cards. We provide assistance with the SNAP Online application process, eCommerce site technical requirements, or anything related to SNAP Online to:
- Brick and mortar grocery stores of any size or type
- eCommerce Providers and TPP/PIN solution providers
- Online-Only Retailers*
*FNA is currently determining the eligibility requirements and application process for Online-Only retailers. Currently, SEMTAC is helping Online-Only retailers submit their Letter of Intent (LOI) to let FNA 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; see “Submitting your Letter of Intent (LOI)” here.
FNA is still developing the full application and onboarding process 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. The LOI template specifically for Online Only retailers is available under “Submitting your Letter of Intent (LOI)” here.
If you need support with your eCommerce development for SNAP, the SNAP Online technical requirements or if you have any questions, contact SEMTAC.
Functionality Requirements
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.
According to FNA 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:
- variable pickup/delivery fees for all customers based on order amount to help cover the costs of pickup/delivery
- pick up fees for all customers when the order is below a certain amount
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.
Technology and Testing
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.
FNA is supportive of other companies and alternative secure PIN encryption solutions for online purchases. Currently, Fiserv, Forage, and Worldpay are the only FNA-approved secure PIN encryption solution providers. FNA 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 FNA. Learn more at How to Apply.
Yes, this is quite common. FNA will issue a separate FNA number to stores for their online sales than the FNA 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. FNA 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 authorized by FNA for SNAP Online, the retailer must test their SNAP Online eCommerce system using test scenarios provided by FNA to be sure it meets all the program requirements. FNA will also conduct its own testing as part of this process.
The sooner FNA receives a retailer’s completed test logs from their internal testing, the sooner the retailer will be added to the FNA 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.