Older adults who receive SNAP benefits can use an EBT card to purchase eligible groceries online from participating retailers such as Walmart, Instacart, DoorDash, and Amazon. While SNAP can help cover the cost of eligible food, delivery fees, service charges, and tips generally require a separate payment method.
For seniors who don’t use smartphones or prefer a little extra support, grocery delivery can still be an option. Services like GoGoGrandparent can help make grocery ordering and delivery easier by providing phone-based assistance, so older adults don’t have to navigate an app on their own.
Key Takeaways: Grocery Delivery With EBT/SNAP
- EBT works online at participating stores. An older adult needs an EBT card, its PIN and an account with the retailer or delivery service.
- SNAP pays for eligible food only. The list includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads and cereals.
- SNAP does not pay for delivery. Delivery fees, service charges, pickup fees, shipping fees and tips need another payment method, such as a debit or credit card.
- Apps are the hard part for many older adults. Accounts, PIN entry and item substitutions can be confusing without a smartphone.
- Caregivers can help. A family member can set up the account, build a shopping list, compare fees and watch the delivery window.
- GoGoGrandparent takes grocery orders by phone, but its grocery page does not list EBT/SNAP as a payment option. Ask the grocery team about payment before ordering.
Can Seniors Use EBT/SNAP for Grocery Delivery?
Yes. For an older adult who receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, an EBT card can be used to buy eligible groceries online from participating retailers. Online SNAP purchasing is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To pay, you’ll typically need your EBT card information and PIN.
For older adults who prefer grocery delivery or have difficulty getting to the store, online SNAP purchasing can make it easier to get everyday groceries at home. Availability can vary by location, though, so it’s a good idea to check whether your local grocery store accepts SNAP/EBT for online orders and offers delivery or pickup in your area.
How Does Grocery Delivery With EBT Work?
Before placing a grocery order with SNAP/EBT, it can help to know what to expect. For older adults who are new to online grocery shopping, most retailers follow a similar process for adding an EBT card, finding eligible groceries, and completing an order.
- Start with a familiar grocery store. Check whether a store you already know and shop at accepts SNAP/EBT for online orders and offers delivery or pickup in your area.
- Add your SNAP EBT card. Sign in or create an account, then add your EBT card information as a payment method.
- Choose SNAP-eligible groceries. Many retailers label qualifying products as “SNAP EBT Eligible,” making it easier to know which items your benefits can cover.
- Pay with your EBT card. At checkout, use your SNAP benefits for eligible groceries and enter your EBT PIN when prompted.
- Add another payment method if needed. SNAP generally doesn’t cover delivery fees, service charges, tips, or non-eligible items. A debit or credit card may be needed for these additional costs.
- Choose pickup or delivery. Select the option that feels most convenient, choose an available time, and confirm your order.
For older adults who prefer not to use a smartphone or navigate grocery apps, GoGoGrandparent offers a more accessible option. GoGo can help coordinate grocery orders by phone, allowing older adults to get groceries delivered while staying involved in choosing what they need.
What Grocery Delivery Services Accept EBT/ SNAP? How The Main Options Compare
Several major grocery retailers and delivery platforms allow shoppers to use SNAP/EBT for eligible online grocery purchases, including Walmart, Instacart, DoorDash, and Amazon. However, delivery and pickup availability can vary by location, and SNAP benefits generally won’t cover fees, tips, or non-eligible items.
The table below compares how popular grocery delivery options currently handle SNAP/EBT, delivery, pickup, and additional payment methods:
Other grocery delivery options may also be available depending on where an older adult lives. Target offers SNAP/EBT payment for eligible grocery orders through Shipt, while Uber Eats supports SNAP/EBT at participating grocery stores. Local and regional grocery stores may offer online EBT payment as well.
For older adults who prefer ordering by phone instead of navigating grocery websites or apps, GoGoGrandparent offers another way to access grocery delivery. Older adults can call GoGo for help coordinating their grocery order, making it easier to get the groceries they need while staying involved in choosing what they want. GoGo’s grocery page does not currently list SNAP/EBT as a payment method, so it’s important to confirm available payment options before ordering.
What Can You Buy with SNAP /EBT for Grocery Delivery?
For an older adult using SNAP benefits, many of the everyday foods already on a regular grocery list may be eligible. This includes fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products, breads, and cereals. Seeds and plants that produce food for the household can also qualify.
Other common grocery items, including frozen foods, snacks, and pantry staples, are generally eligible as well. When ordering groceries online, look for a “SNAP EBT Eligible” label to make it easier to identify which items can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
SNAP doesn’t cover everything an older adult may need from the store. A separate payment method is typically required for:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and tobacco products
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Foods that are hot when purchased
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household essentials
- Hygiene products and cosmetics
If an order includes both SNAP-eligible and non-eligible items, there’s usually no need to place separate orders. The EBT card can be used to pay for eligible groceries, while a second payment method can cover the remaining items and any additional fees. This can make it easier for older adults to get the groceries and household essentials they need in a single order.
Does SNAP Pay for Grocery Delivery Fees?
No. SNAP benefits can pay for eligible groceries, but they generally don’t cover delivery fees, service charges, tips, pickup fees, or shipping fees. Older adults will need another payment method to cover these additional costs.
For older adults living on a fixed income, knowing the full cost before placing an order can make budgeting easier. Check the delivery fee, service charge, tip, and any other costs ahead of time so you know what will need to be paid out of pocket. Some grocery delivery services may also offer discounts or special incentives for EBT cardholders, which can help reduce the overall cost.
For older adults who prefer ordering by phone or want additional support coordinating grocery delivery, GoGoGrandparent can help make the process easier without requiring them to navigate an app on their own. Keep in mind that GoGo’s service costs and other delivery-related fees are separate from SNAP benefits and would require another payment method.
Grocery Delivery With EBT for Seniors Without a Smartphone
Shopping for groceries online with EBT can involve several steps, especially for someone doing it for the first time. Older adults may need to create an account, add payment information, enter an EBT PIN, identify SNAP-eligible items, select substitutions, and track the delivery. For seniors who don’t use a smartphone or feel comfortable navigating apps, this process can be challenging.
GoGoGrandparent offers a more accessible way for seniors to order groceries without using an app. Older adults can call GoGo with their grocery list, and the grocery team helps coordinate the order with a personal shopper. Orders can be placed seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, with hours adjusted by time zone, by selecting option 8 at 1 (855) 464-6872.
Here are a few things to know about GoGoGrandparent grocery delivery:
- Stores: Access to more than 70 national and local grocery chains, including Walmart, Safeway, Costco, Kroger, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.
- Substitutions: If an item is unavailable, the shopper can confirm alternatives before checkout.
- Standing orders: Seniors can arrange recurring grocery orders by phone or email.
- Cost: GoGo provides a full cost breakdown before the order is confirmed.
- Payment: GoGo’s grocery delivery page lists GoGo Gift Credits, a primary card, or another card on file as payment options.
GoGoGrandparent does not currently list SNAP/EBT as a payment method on its grocery delivery page. Seniors who want to use SNAP benefits should ask GoGo’s grocery team about current payment options before ordering. If EBT isn’t available through GoGo, they can still use a SNAP-participating retailer or delivery service listed above for eligible grocery purchases.
How Caregivers Can Help Seniors Order Groceries With SNAP
A family member or caregiver can make online grocery shopping with SNAP much easier while still allowing the older adult to choose what they want and stay involved in the process.
- Compare grocery options together. Check which nearby stores accept EBT online and compare delivery fees, service charges, and other costs.
- Create a regular shopping list. Saving frequently purchased groceries can make future orders faster and help distinguish SNAP-eligible items from products that require another payment method.
- Set up recurring orders when available. For groceries purchased regularly, a weekly or monthly order can reduce how often a new order needs to be created.
- Review additional costs. Make sure the older adult understands which expenses SNAP won’t cover, such as delivery fees, service charges, and tips, and decide how those costs will be paid.
- Help coordinate the delivery. Check the delivery window and help make sure someone is available to receive the groceries when needed.
When helping with an order, caregivers should also respect the older adult’s privacy and preferences. The EBT PIN belongs to the cardholder, so the older adult should decide whether to share it and with whom.
How to Find EBT Grocery Delivery Near You
SNAP/EBT grocery delivery options vary depending on where you live and which retailers participate. A good place to start is by entering the older adult’s address or ZIP code on a grocery store or delivery service website and checking whether SNAP/EBT appears as a payment option.
Because participating retailers and delivery areas can change, check the store’s current policies before placing an order. You can also compare several nearby stores to find an option that accepts EBT and offers convenient delivery or pickup.
For seniors who aren’t comfortable searching different apps or websites, a caregiver can help compare local options. GoGoGrandparent can also help older adults access grocery delivery by phone, making the process easier for those who prefer not to use a smartphone.
Other Ways Seniors Can Make Grocery Shopping Easier
SNAP grocery delivery isn’t the only way to make grocery shopping more manageable. Depending on a senior’s mobility, transportation, technology preferences, and level of support, other options may work better.
- Grocery pickup: Order groceries ahead of time and have a store employee bring them to the car, avoiding the need to walk through the store.
- Family or caregiver assistance: A relative or caregiver can help create grocery lists, place orders, pick up groceries, or shop together.
- Rides to the grocery store: Seniors who prefer shopping in person can arrange transportation. GoGoGrandparent helps older adults access Uber and Lyft rides by phone without needing to use the apps themselves.
- Personal shopping and grocery delivery: Seniors who prefer having someone shop for them can use services that purchase items from a grocery list and deliver them to the home. GoGoGrandparent also provides phone-based grocery ordering assistance for seniors who prefer additional support.
- Meal delivery: Prepared meal services can help supplement grocery orders, particularly for older adults who have difficulty shopping or preparing meals.
For seniors and caregivers comparing their options, Grocery Shopping for Seniors: Delivery Options That Work can provide a broader look at ways to make getting groceries easier and more accessible.
