Americans who use federal assistance for their essential daily expenses will now find it much easier to shop on Amazon. According to the latest release from the eCommerce giant, they have started accepting Cash EBT payments from consumers in 17 states and Washington, D.C. Buyers dependent on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance can now use EBT cards to pay via Amazon Access.
This inclusion allows Amazon users to purchase beyond just essential food items using their federal benefits; now, they can pick a broad range of products and services, including non-food items, shipping fees, and offerings from third-party sellers.
Key Takeaways
- Expansion of Cash EBT Payments on Amazon: Amazon now accepts Cash EBT payments from TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients in 17 states and Washington, D.C., allowing eligible users to purchase a broad range of items beyond food, including non-food items and shipping fees.
- Enhanced Flexibility for Beneficiaries: Unlike SNAP benefits, which are restricted to food purchases, TANF Cash EBT funds can be used for various essentials, such as housing, childcare, and online shopping, offering greater convenience and utility for low-income households.
- Amazon Access Initiative: The program is part of Amazon Access and aims to reduce costs and increase accessibility for low-income shoppers through discounts, programs like Prime Access, and support for both SNAP and Cash EBT payments.
- Eligible and Ineligible Purchases: Cash EBT funds can be used for items such as electronics, toys, and beauty products but not for restricted items like alcohol, tobacco, or firearms. Alternative payment methods are required for ineligible purchases.
Amazon Expands Payment Options with Cash EBT for TANF Recipients
Shoppers receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to buy daily essentials will be happy to know that Amazon has started accepting Cash EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) in selected states. Now eligible Amazon shoppers in 17 states and the District of Columbia will be able to use their benefits to buy a wide range of products that go beyond just essential food items.
EBT is an electronic system the government uses to distribute assistance programs to beneficiaries efficiently. People enrolled in the program receive monthly payments through their allotted EBT cards, which work similarly to a debit card during the purchase. While assistance programs like SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are limited to buying essential food items, Cash EBT, provided through TANF, offers more flexibility and purchasing choices. Buyers can use Cash EBT for various essential needs, including housing, utilities, childcare, and online shopping.
Amazon took this step to tap a customer base depending on assistance and to also compete with popular brands already offering Cash EBT to their customers, like Walmart, Family Dollar, and DoorDash (with selected partners like ALDI, Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer, and 7-Eleven).
This initiative is part of Amazon Access, a platform designed to help customers access various programs, discounts, and features aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of shopping on Amazon – covering items across various categories such as toys, electronics, beauty, and personal care, as well as home and kitchen products. Eligible customers can also use Cash EBT to pay for shipping costs, non-food items, and products offered by third-party sellers.
To utilize this benefit, add eligible items to your cart and choose “Cash EBT” as your payment option at checkout. The amount will be deducted from your account, and your items will be dispatched to you shortly.
Director of Amazon Access, Nancy Dalton, stated that Amazon Access was developed to help customers easily locate discounts and programs designed to simplify and lower the costs of shopping on Amazon, including options like SNAP EBT payments, Prime Access membership, and Access Discounts. She noted that accepting Cash EBT on Amazon is an additional advancement in improving access and convenience for low-income customers.
As of now, Amazon accepts Cash EBT payments in the following regions:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
This expansion enables many TANF recipients to utilize their benefits for online purchases, enhancing convenience and access to a broader range of products.
Amazon was among the first to accept online federal benefit payments.
The U.S. The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot, which began in April 2019 and was initially planned to last two years, included Amazon as one of its early retail partners for online SNAP purchasing. Following its early adoption of online SNAP purchasing, Amazon has broadened its service to cover all U.S. households, providing them with at least one online purchasing option.
Eligible Purchases with Cash EBT on Amazon
Cash EBT funds can be used to purchase a wide array of items on Amazon, including:
- Electronics
- Toys
- Beauty and personal care products
- Home and kitchen items
Additionally, these benefits can cover shipping fees and purchases from third-party sellers on the platform. However, certain items remain ineligible for purchase with Cash EBT, such as:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Firearms
- Digital items and subscriptions
- Prime memberships
It’s important to note that while SNAP EBT benefits are accepted nationwide on Amazon for purchasing eligible food items, Cash EBT payments are currently limited to the specified states and the District of Columbia.
If your cart contains items that are not eligible for purchase with your current payment method, you can still buy them by adding an alternative payment method at checkout to handle the cost of these items.
How to Use Cash EBT on Amazon
To utilize Cash EBT benefits on Amazon, follow these steps:
- Account Setup: Ensure you have an Amazon account. If not, create one by visiting Amazon’s website.
- Add EBT Card: Navigate to the “Your Account” section, select “Payment Options,” and add your EBT card as a payment method. This process involves entering your card details and may require verification.
- Shop for Eligible Items: Browse and add items to your cart. While Cash EBT covers a broad range of products, ensure the items comply with program guidelines.
- Checkout: At checkout, select your EBT card as the payment method. If your purchase includes ineligible items, you must provide an additional payment method to cover those costs.
- Confirm Purchase: Review your order and confirm the purchase. Your Cash EBT benefits will be applied to eligible items and associated costs.
About Amazon
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational company that sells consumer products, provides advertising services, and offers subscriptions through both online and physical stores across North America and other international markets. The company is structured into three main segments: North America, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and International. Amazon also manufactures devices such as Fire tablets, Kindle e-readers, Echo smart speakers, Fire TVs, and security devices under the Blink, Ring, and Eero brands. Additionally, the company creates media content and provides a platform for sellers to distribute their products and for various creators like musicians, authors, and filmmakers to publish and monetize their work.
Amazon also delivers a wide range of cloud services, including storage, computing, analytics, machine learning, and database management, and advertising options like sponsored ads and video advertising complement these. The company also offers the Amazon Prime membership program. Its product line includes both its own merchandise and those provided by third-party sellers. Amazon serves diverse customers, including businesses, consumers, content creators, and developers. Founded in 1994, Amazon is based in Seattle, Washington.
Conclusion
The introduction of Cash EBT payments on Amazon marks a significant milestone in making online shopping accessible to low-income families receiving TANF benefits. By broadening the scope of what federal assistance funds can cover, Amazon has enabled eligible customers to purchase non-food items, pay for shipping, and access products from third-party sellers across 17 states and Washington, D.C. This initiative aligns with the company’s mission to support diverse customer needs through programs like Amazon Access.
While certain restrictions apply, the flexibility offered by Cash EBT payments provides a practical solution for families seeking convenience and a wider selection of essential items. As Amazon continues to innovate and expand its support for government assistance programs, it reinforces its role as a key player in bridging accessibility gaps for underserved communities. This step forward demonstrates how public-private collaboration can enhance the reach and utility of federal assistance programs.
