SNAP is going online! I’m sure you’ve heard about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or you know someone who benefits from it. However, something is changing about it because this aid could only be used in physical stores, until now… You could use SNAP when shopping online at Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Target, and Sam’s Club, among many others. This will be so beneficial for recipients of this aid who have to make a huge effort to go to a physical store to do the shopping. So, let’s learn more about this new SNAP change.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program in the United States that helps American citizens with low-income to buy food. SNAP beneficiaries won’t be able to buy other things than food, even though they need them. This program is used by millions of people and it’s currently used to fight against hunger and difficulties when it comes to buying essential food.
What’s more, SNAP has changed the way it can be used. Now you have the possibility of using it for buying online, with no need of going to the stores. This eases the shopping experience of many people like elderly people, disabled or families who live far from supermarkets.
Requirements in 2025
For those willing to receive the SNAP benefit, it should be known that there are some requirements that must be met when it comes to income and economic resources of the family:
- Monthly gross income (before expenses): you mustn’t exceed the 130% of poverty level. For example, a family of 3 the maximum allowed is $2,798 per month.
- Net monthly income (after subtracting expenses such as rent, medicine, etc.): No more than 100% of the poverty level. In this case the same family must have a net maximum of $2,152 per month.
- Resource limits (savings, accounts, etc.): If the family doesn’t have 60 year old people or older, nor disabled people, the limit is $3,000. In case of having them, the family’s limit increases up to $4,500.
An important thing to know is that a family with kids, high medical expenses or fixed income could be eligible for SNAP even though they exceed the limits we previously mentioned.
How many people receive this benefit?
SNAP is still the only supporting network for many American families to buy food. In 2025, around 42 million people receive SNAP help. According to The New York Times, this figure is very stable, but it could change depending on economic situations and the new laws.
How much money do people receive?
The amount of money received from SNAP depends on the size of the family, their income, and some expenses that can be discounted. Let’s see the amounts per month in 2025:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,158
- 6 people: $1,390
- 7 people: $1,536
- 8 people: $1,756
- Each extra person: + $220
Where could SNAP be used online?
This year, many big stores already accept SNAP payments when using the EBT card online. So, now beneficiaries of this food program could do their groceries from the comfort of their home. Here are the places where this is possible:
- Amazon (Fresh y Pantry) – Home delivery.
- Walmart – Home delivery and in-store pickup.
- Target – Curbside pickup.
- Costco – Purchase the products by quantity, but it requires membership.
- Aldi – Budget products in selected areas.
- Whole Foods – Organic products available at Amazon.
- Hy-Vee – Midwest coverage.
- Jewel-Osco (part of Albertsons) – in many regions of the country.
- Sam’s Club – Purchase the products by quantity, like Costco.
- Thrive Market – Online shop with organic and healthy products, available in 48 states.
Have this in mind!
There are a few things you should know before doing your groceries online. SNAP covers food such as: Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereal, and basics. However, it doesn’t cover delivery fees, packaging, tips nor non-food items (toilet paper, soap, etc.).
What’s more, the availability of using SNAP depends on your ZIP code, so you’d better check the official USDA website to find stores near you that accept it.
Many people have already benefited from SNAP, but I’m sure this change is going to make their groceries much easier and it will be an improvement for their quality of life.