Drug store chain Rite Aid is now accepting EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards/food stamps provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at its stores nationwide.

More than 38 million Americans received food assistance through SNAP last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is administered by the USDA and offers families and individuals at certain income levels financial assistance in purchasing food and beverages. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the electronic system that allows a SNAP recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received.

SNAP benefit recipients are issued EBT cards that look like debit cards. Customers swipe their EBT card like a credit card at the time of the purchase and the cash register automatically deducts the eligible purchase (any food, candy or non-alcoholic beverage) from the balance on their card. 

“One in eight Americans are receiving food assistance through SNAP according to the USDA,” said Brian Fiala, Rite Aid’s executive vice president of Store Operations. “With nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores nationwide offering assorted groceries, accepting EBT cards is just another convenience we can offer to our customers and help make their lives a little easier.”