Learn how to accept EBT payments at your restaurant. SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase hot/prepared meals from restaurants with the Restaurant Meals Program through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). This program is a great initiative from FNS that increases access to nutritionally balanced, prepared meals. Here are 3 of your questions, answered…
Requirements to Accept EBT Payments in Your Store
The requirements to accept EBT payments in your store can be confusing for owners. Seeing if you qualify to be a SNAP retailer, the application process, and even the reauthorization process for existing retailers can be time-consuming and difficult for busy store owners. Make the process a little easier with this quick, easy overview of how to accept EBT payments in your store…
SEEING IF YOU QUALIFY
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) requires retailers to stock certain inventory items in order to qualify to apply to become a SNAP retailer. Retailers must stock 3 stocking units of 3 varieties of the 4 staple good categories, which are fruits and vegetables, dairy products, breads and cereals, and meat/poultry/fish. See if you qualify by taking this free SNAP retailer requirements quiz
An example of this would be…
Fruits + Vegetables
- 3 x fresh bananas
- 3 x 100% orange juice
- 3 x 100% apple juice
Dairy
- 3 x yogurt
- 3 x milk
- 3 x formula
Breads + Cereals
- 3 x bread
- 3 x pasta
- 3 x bagels
Meat/Poultry/Fish
- 3 x fresh or liquid eggs
- 3 x canned tuna
- 3 x beef jerky
Get a more detailed overview of the FNS stocking requirements.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process can be completed in 5 simple steps…
- Register for a USDA eAuthentification account
- Gather required documentation and information
- Visit the USDA website and sign-in to complete your application
- Check the status of your application
- Get started with EBT processing
View your detailed step-by-step guide to accepting EBT payments.
FNS REAUTHORIZATION
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) requires SNAP retailers to be reauthorized every 5 years or so. If you’re currently a SNAP retailer who’s approaching the 5 year mark, check out these free resources to understand FNS reauthorization a bit better.
Already a SNAP retailer? Get started with unlimited EBT processing from goEBT