Accepting SNAP/EBT Payments for qualified goods

Payments + Shipping & Fulfilment

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.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Dear All,

We are happy to assist you integrating SNAP/EBT enabled payment gateway with your Shopify store.

Please note ability accept SNAP/EBT payments through qualified goods, merchant must have USDA approval.

How to Get Started Submit Your Letter of Intent to the USDA

If you’re a SNAP retailer in a participating state who is willing and able to comply with SNAP’s Online requirements, you are eligible to join the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Well over half of U.S. states are now participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot, with more states joining all the time.

To confirm that you can meet all of the SNAP Online requirements, you will need to submit a Letter of Intent to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Click here for more information

Once you complete the above process, you will be able to sign up with participating merchant provider for an online merchant facility ability to accept EBT/SNAP cards. (If required, We are happy to assist you finding a participating merchant provider too)