New Jersey residents who are part of the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now use their benefits to buy online groceries from sites like Walmart, ShopRite, and Amazon.
Previously, only residents in certain states could use their EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards to buy online groceries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has expedited the change for New Jersey residents.
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“Online grocery shopping is another important step in our efforts to get affordable groceries to New Jerseyans during this public health emergency,” Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said via press release. “Having the option to order groceries online is more important than ever, as we all work together to stay-at-home as much as possible. We hope that the launch of SNAP online grocery shopping promotes equity by providing participants access to a convenient tool that many New Jerseyans are already using to comply with the stay-at-home order.”
The only thing to keep in mind is that SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees. So you’re still on the hook for that. To sweeten the offer, Amazon is promising exclusive deals when you add your EBT card to your Amazon account. (For example, they’re offering an extra 15% off 365 Everyday value groceries). Currently, these are the stores you can shop at with your EBT card.
- Amazon SNAP EBT (starting May 27)
- Walmart Grocery Pickup SNAP EBT (starting May 28; pickup only)
- ShopRite from Home (starting May 28)
- The Fresh Grocer (starting May 28)
Since the start of the pandemic, the Department of Human Services has distributed an extra $106 million in SNAP benefits. In addition, anyone whose benefits were up for renewal in May or June were automatically extended for six months.
SNAP currently serves about 700,000 New Jersey residents in 356,000 households.
