New Jersey Launches Online Grocery Shopping for SNAP Recipients

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(Lindenwold, NJ) – New Jerseyans enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use their benefits to order groceries online starting next week, the Department of Human Services announced yesterday.  Online shopping will be available through Amazon and participating Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers.

 

NJ SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits card to order groceries from Amazon starting on Wednesday, May 27. Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers that provide online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits starting on Thursday, May 28.

 

“We need to ensure that everyone has access to affordable groceries during this public health crisis,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “This is a critical action which will allow SNAP recipients to safely shop from home, reducing their need to travel and therefore limiting their risk of exposure to the virus.”

 

NJ SNAP currently serves about 700,000 New Jerseyans in 356,000 households, with the monthly SNAP benefit based on household size and income. Under federal rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees.

 

To learn more, recipients can visit Amazon.com/SNAP to register their EBT card. Visit here to learn about Walmart’s SNAP online program.  Any Walmart, ShopRite or The Fresh Grocer that currently provides online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits.

 

New Jersey received federal approval for online SNAP grocery shopping from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

In addition to online SNAP grocery ordering, Human Services has taken the following steps to help New Jerseyans access affordable food during the emergency:

 

  • Distributed an extra $106 million in additional benefits to SNAP recipients since the start of the emergency.
  • Ensured that everyone whose benefits were up for renewal in March and April, or are due in May or June were extended for six months, meaning that nobody’s SNAP benefits will be ended during these extensions for not completing the renewal.
  • Made it easier to apply for SNAP during this emergency by waiving the normally required interview and the hard copy signature on applications, so as to reduce the need for face-to-face interactions.
  • Updated our online system to make it easier for SNAP applicants to track their application.
  • Received federal approval to provide about 600,000 children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals $416.10 each to help with nutritional support during the time that schools have been closed during the pandemic.  Benefits will be delivered in June.

 

For more information, visit njhelps.org to learn more and apply for food assistance and other benefits.