In Victory for Disability Advocates, Eight New States Added to Food Assistance Online Purchasing Pilot Program

ANCOR is pleased to share that following the successful advocacy by disability coalitions, more people with disabilities who rely on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be able to order groceries online. We had joined coalition efforts on this issue because people with disabilities are more likely to die if they contract COVID-19, making program restrictions preventing the use of SNAP benefits for online grocery orders particularly problematic. Additionally, many of our members employ Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who assist individuals receiving SNAP benefits with daily chores, including grocery shopping, meaning the expansion of this pilot program will also increase the well-being of DSPs.

While the aforementioned pilot program had 39 participating states, the program was expanded to eight additional states beginning Feb. 25: Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia. The full list of states and retailers participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot is available on the FNS website.

Related: Members who support children with disabilities may find useful this announcement on USDA’s collaboration with the Department of Education to provide SNAP benefits to students in need.