全球智库信息集成服务系统

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of households with low or no incomes purchase food. Households currently access SNAP benefits using electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, which work like debit cards. With new payment technologies available and with the growing need for online purchasing options amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that SNAP benefit delivery evolves to ensure participants can purchase food in the same manner as other customers. Drawing on interviews with national SNAP experts, state officials, consumer advocates, and representatives of food retailers, EBT processors, and related technology companies, this fact sheet summarizes our findings about the current EBT system and how future benefit delivery could be more equitable and inclusive.