Instacart has introduced a new Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) eligibility screener on its EBT SNAP information page.
The new tool, powered by Advocatia Solutions Inc., lets customers anonymously check whether they may be eligible for SNAP benefits in less than 60 seconds and find relevant state resources to streamline enrollment. The launch marks the first time an online grocery platform has offered a SNAP screening tool to consumers, making it easier for consumers to check their eligibility and find the resources they need to enroll.
Millions of people across the country have used their SNAP benefits to shop from the nearly 180 national, regional and local retail banners and more than 30,000 stores that accept SNAP online through Instacart. Each year, families who are eligible for SNAP leave government aid for essentials like groceries unused, and eligible households may receive on average $350 per month in financial assistance for food, depending on factors such as household size and income.
Research by No Kid Hungry, the University of Kentucky and Instacart has shown that online grocery shopping helps low-income families, including SNAP households, stretch their food budgets, save time, reduce stress and purchase more produce without increasing their total grocery spend. In 2023, Instacart became the first online grocery marketplace to expand online SNAP acceptance to all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
“Everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food, and we’re committed to using the power of Instacart to break down barriers that too often stand in the way,” said Dani Dudeck, chief corporate affairs officer at Instacart.
“With food insecurity at an all-time high in the U.S., affecting more than one in every eight people, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness of critical assistance programs like SNAP that can help families meet their needs. By introducing our SNAP eligibility screener, we’re making it simpler for families to find out if they qualify and take the first steps toward putting more food on their tables.”
Through Instacart Health, the company’s initiative to increase access to nutritious food, make healthy choices easier and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes, healthcare leaders like the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) can recommend and use Instacart’s SNAP eligibility tool to support patients who have been identified as nutrition insecure.
“As the nation’s largest primary care network serving over 32.5 million or 1 in 10 people nationwide, Community Health Centers reach beyond the walls of the exam room to foster health and wellness by addressing the social drivers of health, especially food insecurity,” said Kyu Rhee, NACHC President and CEO.
“More than 775,000 health center patients screened in 2023 reported experiencing food insecurity and more than 1.2 million patients screened reported experiencing financial strain. We believe it is essential to advance innovative technology solutions or ‘TechQuity’ for the people we serve. Instacart’s new SNAP eligibility tool will further advance ‘TechQuity’ by helping health center clinicians and patients connect to actionable state resources to combat food insecurity. Access to nutritious food is essential and should transcend geographic and socioeconomic barriers, and we’re proud to partner with Instacart through its Health initiative to help ensure underserved communities can access this impactful tool.”
Instacart first launched online SNAP acceptance in 2020. The company spearheaded the retailer onboarding process with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and offers online SNAP acceptance nationwide, reaching nearly 98 percent of households enrolled in SNAP. Instacart offers SNAP recipients a discounted Instacart+ membership (50 percent off) with $0 delivery fees in as fast as 30-minutes on all orders over $35.
