Missouri households receiving food stamps can now enjoy the same safety against the coronavirus by making purchases online.

Amazon and Walmart websites are now prepared to accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that are issued to families that get food stamp benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

“This new option allowing SNAP households to purchase eligible foods online will relieve some of the stress Missourians face related to COVID-19 and improve access to good nutrition,” said Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director, Department of Social Services in a prepared statement.

“The turnaround time for making SNAP online purchasing a reality has been exceptional,” she said, “and I thank all involved parties who worked quickly and very diligently to help Missourians who continue to struggle with the impact of COVID-19.”

As of May 14, Missouri was still waiting federal approval for another program to help strengthen the use of food stamps — the pandemic-EBT program that will allow Missouri to distribute food stamp benefits to all households with children that qualify for schools’ free lunch programs in addition to families already receiving SNAP.

With online purchasing, Missouri joins several other states that have gotten their online purchase programs operating after gaining waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to start the online program.

It was a matter of fairness and equity, advocates for low-income households said, that families on food stamps be able to stay home and stay safe — as other families — and not have to make trips into grocery stores.

So far, Amazon and Walmart are the only retailers approved by the USDA, but other retailers may be added to the program.

The online purchasing option will be a permanent addition for families on food stamps. To get started with online purchasing, food stamp participants should connect directly with the online retailer. It is important to note that the benefits do not cover delivery fees or other associated charges.

A record number of households are using food stamps in Missouri. At of the end of April, 752,315 Missourians or 360,937 households receive benefits. In March, 660,628 individuals, or 311,401 households participated in the program.

More information is available at https://mydss.mo.gov/covid-food-stamp-info.