About SNAP, EBT, and food stamps

This topic describes best practices for working with SNAP-eligible items and processing EBT transactions. Your store may or may not sell SNAP-eligible items or accept EBT payments.

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assitance Program) is a federal program in the United States that helps low-income individuals and families pay for food items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread. In general, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for vitamins or supplements, prepared foods, or nonfood items.

SNAP benefits are loaded onto an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card that people can use to pay for SNAP-eligible food items. An EBT card looks and functions like a debit card. An EBT card may be used with other government assistance programs in addition to SNAP.

In the past, before the EBT card was introduced as a payment method, SNAP benefits were provided through food stamps that could be redeemed in stores like vouchers. RMH apps use the term food stamps when referring to SNAP-eligible items and EBT card payments.