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For many Americans, online grocery delivery and pickup is a luxury—a convenience that saves time in their busy schedule. But for older adults who can’t easily travel to a grocery store or go shopping, food delivery can be a lifeline.
To further boost food access for millions of people, many online food delivery platforms are combining their services with the purchasing power of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is the largest public food assistance program nationwide, helping low-income older adults afford healthy food. In April 2023, nearly 3.7 million SNAP households shopped online.1
DoorDash is one app-based delivery service that welcomes SNAP payments. The company joins others like Amazon, FarmboxRx, Instacart, Target, and Walmart who already allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT card online to pay for grocery delivery and pickup. Online purchasing with SNAP benefits is now available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Currently, EBT cardholders who sign up for the SNAP/EBT DashPass Plan pay a discounted price of $4.99 a month for one year (normally $9.99 a month).
What is DoorDash?
DoorDash is a popular online food ordering and delivery platform. To use this service, you can download a mobile app (on the App Store or Google Play Store) or visit the DoorDash website and place orders with restaurants and grocery stores. The company works with independent contractors (called “Dashers”) who pick up your order from the site and deliver it straight to your door.
Like with many other delivery services, DoorDash orders come with costs beyond the cost of the food itself. This includes delivery fees, service fees, and fees for small orders and deliveries outside the normal mileage range.Â
What stores on DoorDash accept EBT?
People enrolled in SNAP can now use their EBT card for SNAP-eligible purchases at the following stores, among others:
- ALDI
- Albertsons
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Dollar General
- Duane Reade
- Food City
- Food Lion
- GIANT
- Hannaford
- Hy-Vee
- Jewel-Osco
- Meijer
- Price Rite Marketplace
- Safeway
- Shaw's
- Sprouts
- Star Markets
- Stop & Shop
- Walgreens
- Wegmans
- Winn-Dixie
- Select 7-Eleven and Speedway stores
DoorDash may expand SNAP payments to more stores in the future, so be sure to check their website regularly for updates. According to the DoorDash website, you can also sign up to be notified when SNAP/EBT becomes available at more locations. Just send an email to SNAPEBT@DoorDash.com and include the email address linked to your DoorDash account.
Can I order fast food with my EBT card on DoorDash?
No. SNAP recipients may only purchase SNAP-approved grocery items with their EBT cards.
How do I use EBT card on DoorDash?
To use your SNAP benefits on DoorDash, you need to create a new DoorDash account if you don’t have one. You can then add your EBT card information to your account and keep it safely stored there.
When you’re shopping with the DoorDash app or website, look for stores and products featuring a SNAP label. SNAP-approved items include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Bread and cereal
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Condiments, spices, and seasonings
- Dairy products
- Baked goods
- Snacks
- Beverages (water, iced tea, fruit juice, etc.)
When you reach checkout, choose the option “Pay with SNAP” and enter the amount you’d like applied toward your EBT card. You can view your remaining SNAP/EBT account balance by entering your card pin.
It’s possible to purchase SNAP-eligible and non-SNAP-eligible items at the same time. However, items in your cart that are not SNAP-eligible—along with any taxes, DoorDash fees, and any driver tip—must be paid using a different method. You can add another debit or credit card to your DoorDash account as a default option for covering non-SNAP items. Â
How can I learn more about SNAP benefits?
If you’re finding it difficult to pay for groceries—and even skipping meals to make ends meet—SNAP may be able to help.
For Linda Hodges, 62, SNAP assistance came right when she needed it. Out of work and living on her own, she was having trouble affording food. Linda had heard about SNAP and reached out to one of our Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs) for help in completing the online application.
After she started receiving her benefits, Linda felt a flood of relief. "Knowing there was some help out there made me feel like I could keep pushing,” she told us. “This is not going to last forever, and at least I can eat."
Want to learn more about SNAP and how to apply? Visit BenefitsCheckUp.org and enter your ZIP code. From there you can get more SNAP info, including how to apply. You can also browse other money-saving benefits programs in your area.
“The average monthly SNAP benefit for a senior living alone is $158. But nearly half of older adults who qualify for the program do not take advantage of it,” said Jen Teague, NCOA Director for Health Coverage and Benefits. “Don’t miss out on benefits that are yours to take. It’s worth seeing if you qualify for SNAP and other programs that can really improve your quality of life,” Teague said.
Source
1. Newsweek. SNAP Benefits See Major Online Change. February 27, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.newsweek.com/snap-benefits-online-shopping-thrive-market-1872826
Need Help Paying for Food?
Millions of older adults are eligible for food assistance from SNAP but often don't apply. Use NCOA's tool to find out if you're eligible and get help paying for groceries.
