More Americans could gain access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program now that Instacart has added a new eligibility tool.
While Instacart already allows customers to use their SNAP benefits as a payment option, the grocery delivery service has added a SNAP eligibility screener to its SNAP information page.
The screener is expected to take less than 60 seconds for shoppers to use and seeks to help more Americans have food security across the country, the company said.
"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," Dani Dudeck, Instacart's chief corporate affairs officer, said in a statement.
"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," she added. "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."
In 2023, Instacart added SNAP electronic benefit transfer as a payment option in all 50 states, and 98 percent of U.S. households can now use SNAP online to purchase goods from more than 30,000 stores in the country, the company said.
Depending on various factors, in 2024, qualifying families receive an average of $350 per month in SNAP benefits, the Department of Agriculture reported. The exact amount depends on a household's size and income.
"From a financial perspective, this isn't just corporate philanthropy—it's brilliant strategic positioning," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of michaelryanmoney.com, told Newsweek. "Why? Food insecurity affects over 12 percent of American households. And the pandemic changed how we think about grocery shopping. Instacart isn't just helping families. They've created a new market segment."
Many eligible families never end up accessing SNAP benefits because of the complex application process, Ryan said, but the Instacart screener may remove initial barriers.
"Imagine a single parent working two jobs, struggling to find time to go through government forms," Ryan said. "Now, they can check eligibility anonymously, quickly, and without additional stress."
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, said the Instacart tool could especially benefit disabled Americans or those who have limited time available to research the SNAP application.
"SNAP is already available through various platforms like DoorDash, and now Instacart, as well as grocery stores such as Kroger and Meijer," he told Newsweek. "Its increasing availability is helping make grocery delivery services more accessible to a wider range of Americans."
Ryan said the screener could reduce stigma and increase convenience for low-income American families.
"This SNAP tool isn't just about grocery delivery," he said. "It's about dignity, access, and reducing financial stress for vulnerable populations. By simplifying SNAP enrollment and reducing administrative hurdles, Instacart is doing something profound. They're helping families put food on the table with minimal friction."
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