If you are receiving SNAP benefits, you might have wondered if you can use them to pay for meal delivery services like HelloFresh or Blue Apron. These meal kits are very popular because they save time and make cooking easier. But when it comes to paying with your EBT card, the rules are not the same as shopping at a regular grocery store.
Can you pay for HelloFresh or Blue Apron with SNAP?
Right now, meal delivery services like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Home Chef do not accept EBT. That means you cannot use your SNAP benefits to order these meal kits.
The main reason is that SNAP is designed to cover groceries and staple food items. Meal kits are sold differently since they are pre-arranged packages with ingredients, recipes, and sometimes extras that do not fit into the USDA’s guidelines.
So if you were hoping to use your EBT card for HelloFresh or Blue Apron, it is not possible at this time.
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Why meal kits are not covered by snap
It can feel confusing because you still have to cook the meals at home. However, here is why they do not qualify:
- Meal kits often include prepared sauces or packaged extras that SNAP does not cover.
- The price of the kit usually includes service and packaging fees, which SNAP cannot be used for.
- SNAP benefits are limited to groceries you could normally buy at a supermarket.
That is why meal kits do not fall under SNAP-approved purchases.
What delivery services can you use with EBT?
The good news is you do have options if you want to order food online with your SNAP benefits. Several grocery delivery services now accept EBT for eligible items.
Some of the most common ones are:
- Instacart – You can order from many local grocery stores, including Aldi, Safeway, and Price Chopper. EBT-eligible items are clearly marked.
- Amazon – Offers three choices: Amazon Fresh, Amazon groceries, and Whole Foods Market. Eligible items are labeled as “SNAP EBT Eligible.”
- Walmart – Has one of the biggest selections and lets you combine payment methods if you buy non-SNAP items.
- FreshDirect – Available only in a few areas, like some Bronx zip codes.
- Top Box Foods – Operates in select cities such as Chicago, New Orleans, and Atlanta with set food boxes you can purchase.
These services allow you to shop for fresh produce, meats, pantry items, and dairy products, all with your EBT card.
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How to make meal kits using SNAP-approved delivery
If you like the idea of meal kits but want to stick to SNAP, you can create your own. You can order your groceries via Instacart, Amazon, or Walmart with your benefits.
Here are some simple ways to do it:
- Buy pre-chopped vegetables or bagged salads.
- Choose pre-seasoned or marinated meats.
- Stock up your pantry with pasta, rice, and canned beans.
- Add sauces and spices to add variety and flavor to your meals.
This way, you get almost the same convenience as a meal kit without breaking SNAP rules.
Will meal delivery services accept EBT in the future?
Some companies have said they are looking into the idea of accepting EBT in the future. As meal kits are becoming more fashionable and more people are relying on food delivery, perhaps a change will be possible in the future. But for now, Blue Apron and other such services like HelloFresh do not accept SNAP.
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