Stop & Shop enabling federal benefit payments for online orders

A Northeast regional grocery chain is now accepting payments via electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card for online pickup and delivery orders.

Stop & Shop, a banner of Ahold Delhaize USA, is allowing customers using federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (popularly known as food stamps) the option to pay with an EBT card when placing online orders for its pickup and delivery services.

This applies for all families and individuals paying with SNAP funds across Stop & Shop’s five-state footprint - Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey - as well as those receiving delivery in New Hampshire. The new experience offers online grocery shoppers the option to add their EBT card to their online account on StopandShop.com and to shop using their SNAP funds.

SNAP benefits are growing in acceptance as a form of payment for online purchases by an increasing number of retailers that sell grocery products, including BJ’s Wholesale Club, Amazon, Walmart, and Giant Food.

While browsing online aisles, SNAP customers can sort products to show eligible items, and a "SNAP-eligible" label will appear within the product details. At checkout, customers can select the "apply SNAP benefits" option and select the amount to charge to their EBT card, allowing personalized budgeting throughout the month.

"Offering EBT payment online is an integral part of Stop & Shop’s commitment to serving our communities,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop. “We’re proud to make access to healthy food more accessible and convenient, especially for those impacted by the pandemic.” 

SNAP customers can use their benefits to purchase eligible food and grocery items for online orders; however, they will need to use an alternative credit/debit card or checking account for any items not eligible for SNAP, as well as for fees, taxes, or driver tips.

As they always have, customers with SNAP benefits are also able to use their EBT card for eligible food and grocery purchases at any of Stop & Shop’s 400-plus stores. Additionally, customers that would rather use the Instacart marketplace may now also use their SNAP benefits to purchase grocery items from Stop & Shop.

[Read more: Stop & Shop enhances e-commerce capabilities to meet pandemic demand]

Stop & Shop pickup orders are subject to a $2.95 fee. Stop & Shop delivery orders are subject to a delivery fee of $9.95 for orders less than $100 and $6.95 for orders greater than $100.

The 2014 Farm Bill authorized USDA to conduct and evaluate a pilot for online purchasing prior to national implementation. The pilot phase is intended to ensure online transactions are processed safely and securely. USDA anticipates all eligible and interested retailers who can meet the requirements to process online SNAP transactions will eventually be able to take part, though the timeline is dependent on the progress of the pilot and any regulations which may need to be issued.

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA company and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.