Store Owner's Guide to SNAP Food Stamps

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How can I accept SNAP food stamps in my store?

How do I apply for a permit?

What foods can customers buy with SNAP food stamps?

What rules do I have to follow?

How do I use EBT?

Useful links

How can I accept SNAP food stamps in my store?

To accept SNAP food stamps in your store, you must get a SNAP permit. To get a permit, you must file an application with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The FNS is the government agency in charge of SNAP food stamps. The SNAP permit is free.

You must have a permit for each store you own, and the permit must be in your name. You cannot take over someone else's SNAP permit.

You must sell certain types of food in your store to get a permit:

• You can get a permit if you sell a variety of staple foods in each of four food categories: (1) dairy products (2) breads, grains, and cereals (3) fruits and vegetables and (4) meat, fish, and poultry. Foods can be fresh, frozen, or canned. However, you must stock perishable foods in at least two of the food categories.

• or, you can get a permit if more than 50% of your gross retail sales comes from the sale of one or more staple foods.

Note: Staple foods do not include coffee, tea, candy, soft drinks, snack foods, or certain other ready-to-eat items.

How do I apply for a permit?

To apply for a SNAP permit, you must file an application with your local Food and Nutrition Service field office. The regional and local FNS offices for Massachusetts are:

There are several ways to get an application from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS):

• Use the FNS online form: Online Store Application
• Call or visit the Massachusetts Field Office (617-565-6380)
• Call the FNS toll-free at 1-877-823-4369 and ask them to mail an application to you

Documentation:  You must include copies of several documents with your application. The field office may also call you for more information, or send someone to visit your store. You should include:

• a copy of a current license for your business (for example, a sales tax permit or health permit)
• a copy of your driver's license (front and back), passport, or other photo identification
• a copy of the Social Security cards for all business owners, partners, officers, and shareholders, and their spouses

How to file the application: 

• If you use the online application, you can submit the application and check the status of your application online. After you submit the online application, you must send copies of your documents to the FNS address on the form.
   
• If you use a paper application, sign the application and send it with copies of your documents to the address on the form.

There is no charge for a food stamp permit. If you have any questions, call the Massachusetts Field Office at 617-565-6380, or the FNS toll-free number 1-877-823-4369.

The field office has 45 days to either approve or deny your application. If your application is not complete, it may take longer. If your application is denied because your store does not meet the eligibility requirements, you must wait six months before you can apply again.

You are not allowed to accept SNAP food stamps at your store until you have been approved.

What foods can customers buy with SNAP food stamps?

• Customers can use SNAP food stamps to buy any food item except food that is hot when sold, or food that is sold to be eaten in the store like restaurant food. Eligible food items include:

  • any food products or ingredients used to prepare meals at home
  • cold prepared sandwiches, salads, and other deli items
  • ethnic and health foods
  • snack foods, candy, soda, and ice

• Customers can use SNAP food stamps to buy seeds or plants that they will grow to produce food for their household.

• Customers cannot use SNAP food stamps to buy non-food items like alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, vitamins or medicines, pet foods, soap, cosmetics, laundry products, paper goods, or other household products.

What rules do I have to follow?

Your FNS office will explain the rules you must follow for the SNAP Food Stamp Program. They will also explain the penalties for not following the rules. Some of the most important rules are:

• You can only accept SNAP food stamps for eligible food items.

• You cannot charge sales tax on any items bought with SNAP food stamps.

• You cannot accept SNAP food stamps as payment on credit accounts. Your food stamp customers must pay for their purchases at the time of sale. You cannot give them credit and let them pay you back with SNAP food stamps at a later date.

• You cannot give cash in exchange for SNAP food stamps.

• You cannot give cash change for SNAP purchases. The amount charged to the customer's EBT account must be the exact amount of the food purchase.

• You cannot give cash refunds for food bought with SNAP food stamps. Refunds must go to the customer's EBT account.

• You cannot process a SNAP purchase unless the customer has the EBT card and PIN.

• You must treat SNAP food stamp customers and other customers the same. For example, you cannot have a special line for SNAP food stamp customers, or charge them higher prices, or require a minimum purchase.

You must follow all of the SNAP Food Stamp Program rules and regulations. If you do not follow the rules, you can lose your permit. You may also have to pay a fine.

You or your customers can report SNAP food stamp fraud or abuse if someone isn't following the rules. The SNAP Fraud Hotline is 1-800-424-9121.

How do I use EBT?

All SNAP food stamps now come on EBT cards. EBT cards work like other debit cards. When SNAP food stamps customers pay for their food, the amount of the sale is automatically subtracted from their EBT account and credited to your store's bank account. The money is deposited in your account within two business days.

To accept SNAP food stamps, you must have equipment that can process EBT transactions. If you already have equipment to handle credit and debit card purchases, you can use the same equipment to handle EBT cards. Your FNS office will help you connect your equipment to the state EBT system.

If you do not have equipment to handle credit and debit cards, your FNS office will give you free equipment to handle EBT cards.

Useful links:

These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (Food Stamp) Program for Retailers
   Information about how to become an authorized dealer, eligible food items, how to use EBT, and frequently asked questions. From the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Includes:

   • Store Training Information
   • Store Eligibility Requirements
   • How to Use EBT at Farmers' Markets
   • Online Store Application