USDA Tells Grocery Stores They Can't Give Discounts to SNAP Recipients

"As the Trump administration continued its illegal freeze on food assistance, the US Department of Agriculture sent a warning to grocery stores not to provide discounts to the more than 42 million Americans affected. Several grocery chains and food delivery apps have announced in recent days that they would provide substantial discounts to those whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been delayed. More than 1 in 8 Americans rely on the program, and 39% of them are children."

""You must offer eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions to SNAP-EBT customers as other customers, except that sales tax cannot be charged on SNAP purchases," the email said. "You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently from any other customer. Offering discounts or services only to SNAP-eligible customers is a SNAP violation unless you have a SNAP equal treatment waiver.""

The US Department of Agriculture warned grocery stores that offering discounts only to individuals with delayed SNAP benefits violates SNAP rules. Several grocery chains and delivery apps announced discounts for recipients affected by benefit delays, with more than 42 million Americans impacted and 39% of beneficiaries being children. The USDA email instructed that eligible foods must be sold at the same prices and terms to SNAP-EBT customers as to others and noted that sales tax cannot be charged on SNAP purchases. The email cited the SNAP Equal Treatment Rule and said exemptions require a waiver. A critic called the move a "perverted interpretation of a rule that stops grocers from price gouging SNAP recipients."

Read at Truthout