Instacart rolls out SNAP Eligibility Screener
Instacart is unveiling a new Supplemental Nutrition Access Program eligibility screener on its information page.
The new tool, powered by Advocatia Solutions, lets people check whether they may be eligible for SNAP benefits in less than 60 seconds and find relevant state resources to streamline enrollment. The launch marks the first time an online grocery platform has offered a SNAP screening tool to consumers.
Millions of people across the country have used their SNAP benefits to shop from nearly 180 national and local retail banners and more than 30,000 stores that accept SNAP online through Instacart. Each year, families who are eligible for SNAP, leave government aid unused, and eligible households may receive on average $350 per month in financial assistance for food, depending on factors such as household size and income, Instacart said.
Research by No Kid Hungry, the University of Kentucky and Instacart has shown that online grocery shopping helps low-income families stretch their food budgets, save time, reduce stress and purchase more produce without increasing their total grocery spend. In 2023, Instacart became the first online grocery marketplace to expand online SNAP acceptance to all 50 states and Washington.
[Watch DSN: Instacart Health leverages nutrition to help consumers lead healthier lives]
"Everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food, and we're committed to using the power of Instacart to break down barriers that too often stand in the way," said Dani Dudeck, chief corporate affairs officer at Instacart. "With food insecurity at an all-time high in the U.S., affecting more than one in every eight people, it's more important than ever to raise awareness of critical assistance programs like SNAP that can help families meet their needs. By introducing our SNAP eligibility screener, we're making it simpler for families to find out if they qualify and take the first steps toward putting more food on their tables."
Through Instacart Health, the company's initiative to increase access to nutritious food, healthcare leaders like the National Association of Community Health Centers can now recommend and use Instacart's SNAP eligibility tool to support patients who have been identified as nutrition insecure.
"As the nation's largest primary care network serving over 32.5 million or 1 in 10 people nationwide, Community Health Centers reach beyond the walls of the exam room to foster health and wellness by addressing the social drivers of health, especially food insecurity," said Kyu Rhee, president and CEO. "More than 775,000 health center patients screened in 2023 reported experiencing food insecurity and more than 1.2 million patients screened reported experiencing financial strain. We believe it is essential to advance innovative technology solutions or 'TechQuity' for the people we serve."
[Read more: Instacart, Foodsmart discover significant clinical outcomes in diet-related conditions]
Rhee added, "Instacart's new SNAP eligibility tool will further advance 'TechQuity' by helping health center clinicians and patients connect to actionable state resources to combat food insecurity. Access to nutritious food is essential and should transcend geographic and socioeconomic barriers, and we're proud to partner with Instacart through its Health initiative to help ensure underserved communities can access this impactful tool."