Our community just gained a powerful new tool for accessing nutritious food. Beginning May 27, New Jersey residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can use their benefits to order groceries online, bringing convenience and safety to hundreds of thousands of households across the state.
Amazon will begin accepting SNAP benefits for online grocery orders on May 27, with participating Walmart, ShopRite, and The Fresh Grocer locations following suit on May 28. The expansion comes after New Jersey received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement online grocery shopping for program participants.
"Online grocery shopping is another important step in our efforts to get affordable groceries to New Jerseyans during this public health emergency," said Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson. "Having the option to order groceries online is more important than ever, as we all work together to stay-at-home as much as possible."
The program currently serves approximately 700,000 New Jersey residents across 356,000 households. Recipients can use their Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer card to purchase eligible groceries from participating retailers. However, federal regulations still prohibit using SNAP benefits to cover delivery fees.
How to Get Started
For families ready to begin shopping online, the process is straightforward. Amazon shoppers can visit Amazon.com/SNAP to register their EBT cards. Walmart has established its own SNAP online program with registration information available through the retailer. Any Walmart, ShopRite, or The Fresh Grocer location that currently offers online shopping will accept SNAP benefits for online orders.
"For those New Jersey families who may have difficulty getting to the grocery store - and that may be for a variety of different reasons - using SNAP benefits online can make the basics of feeding yourself or your family a little less complicated," explained Natasha Johnson, Human Services Assistant Commissioner who directs the Division of Family Development overseeing NJ SNAP.
Expanded Support During Emergency
This online shopping initiative represents just one piece of a broader effort to support families during the ongoing public health crisis. The state has distributed an additional $106 million in emergency benefits to SNAP recipients since the start of the pandemic. Benefits scheduled for renewal between March and June have been automatically extended for six months, ensuring continuous access to food assistance without requiring families to navigate renewal paperwork during this challenging time.
The application process itself has been streamlined to reduce face-to-face contact. The normally required interview has been waived, and applicants no longer need to provide hard copy signatures. The state's online system has also been updated to help applicants track their applications more easily.
Additionally, approximately 600,000 children who typically receive free or reduced-price school meals will receive $416.10 each to support their nutritional needs while schools remain closed. These benefits are scheduled to be delivered in June.
Residents interested in learning more about food assistance programs or applying for benefits can visit njhelps.org for comprehensive information and application resources.
