Amazon Increases the Accessibility of Fresh Groceries and Pantry Essentials for New York Residents
Amazon has introduced a new online hub, Amazon Access, designed to make shopping on Amazon easier and more affordable for residents of New York City. This service is particularly valuable for those who face challenges in accessing supermarkets, such as SNAP recipients, the elderly, those with disabilities, and those who face mobility challenges or long working hours.
Nancy Dalton, the Director of Amazon Access, grew up with a mother who was a SNAP recipient. Dalton is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to a wide range of quality grocery items and everyday essentials at low, competitive prices. Amazon Access offers services in neighborhoods where supermarket access is limited, such as parts of the South Bronx, East New York, and Southeast Queens.
To get started with Amazon Access, NYC residents can visit Amazon.com/Access to explore all available options and determine eligibility. Customers can learn how to use their SNAP benefits on Amazon and explore eligible items for both SNAP EBT and Cash EBT.
Shopping with SNAP EBT on Amazon
You can use SNAP benefits on Amazon by purchasing eligible food items from Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market, where products labeled with a "SNAP EBT eligible" tag indicate they can be bought using your SNAP EBT card.
To get started, you need to:
- Activate your EBT card on Amazon by entering your card number and PIN on Amazon's SNAP EBT page (Amazon Access).
- Add SNAP EBT eligible food items to your cart (look for the label next to product names).
- At checkout, select your EBT card as the payment method to pay for eligible items.
- Use an additional payment method (credit/debit card or Amazon account balance) to cover any non-EBT eligible items in your order, such as household goods or non-food products.
It's important to note that SNAP funds cannot be used to pay for shipping, service fees, taxes, or tips. Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership ($6.99/month, down from $14.99) for SNAP recipients that includes benefits like free two-hour delivery and streaming services, helping improve convenience.
Eligible Items for SNAP EBT and Cash EBT on Amazon
SNAP EBT can be used only for food items such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, fish, poultry
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Baby food and formula
- Nonalcoholic beverages
Nonfood household items and services (cleaning supplies, personal care products, shipping fees) are not eligible for SNAP EBT purchases. Cash EBT (different from SNAP food benefits) can be used to buy non-food items and pay for shipping or service fees but requires a separate payment method on Amazon for non-food categories since SNAP EBT covers only food.
Summary of How to Use SNAP and Cash EBT on Amazon
| Step | SNAP EBT | Cash EBT | |-------------------------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Eligible Items | Food items with "SNAP EBT eligible" label | Food, plus some non-food items | | How to Use | Enter EBT card details; select EBT at checkout for food items | Can also be used to pay for shipping, tips, some non-food items, requires separate payment for other items | | Shipping / Service Fees | Not covered | Can be covered by Cash EBT | | Prime Discount Membership | Available at $6.99/month | Same as SNAP EBT |
You can explore eligible items by browsing Amazon Fresh, Amazon.com’s grocery section, or Whole Foods Market online and filtering for "SNAP EBT eligible" products to ensure your purchases will be covered by your SNAP benefits.
In conclusion, to use SNAP benefits on Amazon:
- Register your EBT card on Amazon Access.
- Shop for food items with the SNAP EBT label.
- Pay with your EBT card for eligible items (shipping and fees excluded).
- Use a second payment method for non-eligible items or additional purchases.
This provides a convenient way to access groceries online using SNAP, especially supported by programs like Amazon Fresh and discounts during events like Prime Day.
- Nancy Dalton, the Director of Amazon Access, aims to provide all New Yorkers with access to affordable food and personal-finance essentials by offering SNAP recipients the ability to use their benefits on Amazon, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh for eligible food-and-drink items.
- To enhance lifestyle convenience, technology-enabled solutions such as the Amazon Access program allow eligible residents to take advantage of services in underprivileged neighborhoods and streamline personal-finance management, providing an alternative to physical supermarkets.
