The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as just SNAP, is used by over 43  million low-income individuals. Because of this, independent retailers are working alongside the local government and tech partners to find a way to support the nutritional necessities of these low-income households. It’s no secret that the easiest way to do that is to allow online SNAP purchases, especially now – during the pandemic.

Being approved as a SNAP retailer 

Before you can even consider adding SNAP as a payment option to your website, you need to ensure that you are approved as a SNAP retailer. If you are not yet SNAP-approved, don’t worry. You can easily apply online for both the regular and online SPAN authorization.

Online SNAP Letter of Intent

Once you have become SNAP-approved, it is time to send your letter of intent. NGA (the National  Grocers Association) has created a template for the letter of intent suitable for all retailers to submit.

Waiting for approval 

Sending your Letter of Intent is the most crucial step. Once it is sent, your application is reviewed,  and you will be allowed to continue the process with FISERV and FNS.

Having an online eCommerce presence 

Once all the above steps are fulfilled, you also need to have a suitable website to accept SNAP  benefits. This means that your website needs to be capable of updates that will meet requirements  to operate online purchasing, such as:

– Integrating the secure online PIN-entry through TPP API.

– Providing customers with appropriate error messages in certain situations.

– Matching refunds to the original purchase.

– Handling appropriate pricing of items that are priced based on weight.

– Allowing only one SNAP card provision to a customer account.

– Ensuring that individuals can use SNAP benefits to purchase only the SNAP-eligible foods.

– Allowing customers to choose between paying with SNAP benefits and other methods.

– Allowing customers to choose how many benefits they will use for each purchase

– Not charging sales tax on SNAP purchases.

Other requirements need to be met as well, which you can find in the Online Purchasing Request for  Volunteers. As long as you meet all the requirements and follow this step-by-step guide, your online store will become eligible for SNAP purchases.