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Topic summary
Small farms and food retailers are seeking ways to accept SNAP/EBT payments through Shopify, both online and at point-of-sale. While SNAP is now allowed for e-commerce in 35 states, Shopify does not natively support EBT payments through its gateway.
Current Solutions Being Explored:
- Third-party payment processors like Forage and Pay Now Direct that can integrate with Shopify
- WorldPay with TotilPay integration (mentioned for previous EBT acceptance)
- Custom private app development through Shopify partners to integrate SNAP/EBT gateways
Key Challenges:
- EBT transactions require complex API interactions: fund verification, real-time product eligibility parsing, split payments between eligible/non-eligible items, PIN entry, and multi-level government reporting
- Processing fees are significant: approximately 3.4% from card processors plus Shopify’s additional 2%, totaling 5.4%
- No plug-and-play solution exists in Shopify’s App Store
Status:
The discussion remains ongoing with no definitive solution implemented. Multiple merchants are USDA-approved for SNAP but struggle with technical integration. Some are considering alternative platforms like WooCommerce due to fee structures. Several development agencies offer custom integration services, but merchants must first secure their own SNAP/EBT payment processor accounts.