SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: 10 New States Can Now Use Instacart EBT Payments, Including New Mexico

SNAP benefits payments or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits payments have helped an average of over 41 million low-income people in the United States in 2021.

The program is paid by the federal government and splits the cost of administering the program with the states which manage it.

According to MARCA, SNAP benefits recipients have been given more options for their grocery shopping through the use of Instacart.

Instacart announced Monday that its app will expand its SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card payments to 10 more states.

Instacart EBT Payments

Instacart's expansion reportedly means that SNAP EBT payments are now accepted at over 60 retailers with more than 8,000 stores. It will now reach 30 million SNAP benefits recipients.

MARCA reported that Instacart allows its shoppers to pick up their groceries at selected retail locations. The states joining the list of those that will accept Instacart EBT payments are Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah.

The states of Washington and Wyoming will also be accommodating Instacart EBT payments. Alaska is now the only U.S. state not to accept Instacart EBT payments.

Sarah Mastrorocco, Instacart's vice president of access to food and nutrition, said in a press release that they have long aimed to expand EBT SNAP acceptance online.

Mastrorocco added that they are proud to bring the service to residents of 10 more states in partnership with grocers that people know and trust.

The vice president of the online grocery said they are looking forward to expanding the program and enabling more retailers to accept EBT SNAP payments through Instacart.

Instacart first offered to accept SNAP EBT payments back in November 2020, which was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SNAP Benefits Payments

SNAP eligibility rules and benefits levels are set at the federal level and uniform across the country, for the most part. Some states have altered the eligibility rules, such as the value of a vehicle a household may own.

Most unemployed non-disabled adults aged 18 to 49 not living with minor children are limited to three months of benefits, as stated by the Center on Budget and Police Priorities.

Meanwhile, if you receive Supplemental Security Income, you may also be eligible for SNAP benefits under a new initiative from the Social Security Administration. Participants can even apply for both at the same time.

If you are applying or already receiving SSI, the SSA will aid in completing your SNAP application over the phone or mail you a SNAP application if needed.

They can also send your completed application to your local SNAP office on your behalf, according to the GO Banking Rates. The U.S. Agriculture Department also plans to expand the number of retailers that offer online shopping for SNAP benefits through a $5 million competitive grant.

The SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center grant will fund an organization that can provide online shopping technology and a system that supports retailers.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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