JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Department of Social Services (DSS) announced Missouri Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households are now able to use an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase eligible foods online. Currently, the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service has approved two retailers, Amazon and Walmart for online purchasing; DSS will update information if other grocery retailers are added. Online purchasing is a permanent option for Food Stamp/SNAP participants. To get started with online purchasing, Food Stamp/SNAP participants just need to connect directly with the online retailer. It is important to note Food Stamp/SNAP benefits cannot cover any delivery fee or other associated charges. As of April 30, 2020, 752,315 Missourians or 360,937 households receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits; a new record for a one-month increase in Missouri’s Food Stamp/SNAP caseload, In March, 660,628 individuals, or 311,401 households participated in the program.
“This new option allowing SNAP households to purchase eligible foods online will relieve some of the stress Missourians face related to COVID-19 and improve access to good nutrition,” said Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director, Department of Social Services. “The turnaround time for making SNAP online purchasing a reality has been exceptional and I thank all involved parties who worked quickly and very diligently to help Missourians who continue to struggle with the impact of COVID-19.”
Food Stamp/SNAP recipients can view Buying Groceries Online with your EBT Card FAQs to get more information about this new option.
The USDA also approved the Department of Social Services’ request to extend Disaster Household Distribution from May 7 through June 6, 2020. The Disaster Household Distribution is a response to the impact of COVID-19 on food resources for low-income Missourians and gives food banks and food pantries greater flexibility to meet the continuing nutritional challenges in their communities.
Missourians in need of information on Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov and use the DSS Virtual Assistant to get immediate answers to basic questions that are not specific to an individual’s case 24 hours a day. They can also call for information or personal assistance 855-FSD-INFO or 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Missourians can apply for those services 24/7 online by visiting
MyDSS.mo.gov, or sending completed applications and verification documents by email to FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov, or by fax to 573-526-9400.
The Missouri Services Navigator has information on over 2,800 programs and services available in the state, including food resources.
The Department of Social Services is committed to the “Show Me Strong” Recovery Plan and serving the needs of Missouri citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information regarding the department’s response to the pandemic is available online https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19.
The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. Visit dss.mo.gov to learn more about the Department of Social Services and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
