Update - We are collaborating with a 3rd party payment provider that is
integrated with the SNAP/EBT system. The EBT’s are unique because they need
more of a conversation with the banking system through the API. First, it
needs to verify the funds are in the account. Second, it needs to parse what
products are being purchased in real-time and sort out the items witch are
eligible. Third, it need to split payment between eligible and non eligible,
plus, taxes. Fourth, it needs the person who owns the card to put in a PIN.
Finally, it needs to record all of this and send it to a various Federal,
State, County, and City (if they are collecting the information).
Fees - The card processor we are working with is charging 3.4% for all the
above, but it depends on the volume, and manual key-ins, etc, etc. Shopify
is saying they add 2% on top of the 3.4% making the total 5.4%. I know,
right? So, we are looking into Woo Commerce as a potential solution. I
brought it up with Shopify and they are escalating the ticket - maybe they
will come down on their 2% for EBT because it services low income families.
If not, the perception is that banks are gouging the poor. From Shopify’s
prersepective, it part of their business model, but its still a gouge to low
income families.