Groceries will soon be available online for SNAP recipients

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– SNAP recipients in South Carolina will soon be able to purchase food on-line.
Tuesday the USDA announced the more than 558,000 SNAP cardholders will be able use their cards to participate in grocery pick up programs.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services tells ABC Columbia they hope to have to program up and running by July 31.

According to DSS the only approved vendors at this time is Walmart and Amazon.

A spokesperson for the Dept. of Social Services released this statement:

“South Carolina received approval from FNS yesterday to authorize certain retail food stores to accept SNAP benefits via online transactions with an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.  Allowing SNAP households to purchase food online is likely to increase participation in social distancing practices recommended by public health officials, and mitigate the risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. 

Once we go live, households across South Carolina will be able to purchase eligible food items online using SNAP benefits.  At this time, the only retailers authorized to implement online purchasing in South Carolina are Walmart and Amazon.  DSS hopes that local retailers and independent grocers within the state of South Carolina are able to gain authorization from the federal government to participate by the end of the summer, in order to support local businesses and the state’s economy.”

For more on SNAP benefits contact the Department of Social Services, or click here.