How to accept EBT/Snap payments

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A Shopify merchant seeks guidance on accepting EBT/SNAP payments online. Several solutions emerge:

Payment Providers Mentioned:

  • Forage - Offers a Shopify app specifically for EBT payments with compliance features (receipts, split tender). However, multiple users report difficulty reaching their support team and cite high fees (~7% total including Shopify’s transaction fees, plus $300 minimum monthly requirement).
  • PayNowDirect - Charges 2.7-2.9% with $89-149 monthly fee, supports split transactions for mixed carts (EBT-eligible and non-eligible items), and offers both online and in-person processing.
  • TotilPay/Marketlink - Currently free for the first year via USDA grant. Requires manual workaround: creating a separate payment method in Shopify POS and processing through their standalone app.

Key Challenges:

  • USDA/FNS approval process is complex and time-consuming
  • Integration with Shopify (especially POS) remains difficult
  • Response times from providers vary significantly
  • Cost considerations are substantial for small businesses/farmers

One consultant (Chrischurch1) offers free consultations to help navigate the USDA approval process. The discussion remains active with ongoing questions about implementation success.

Summarized with AI on October 28. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi can someone please let me know how can I accept EBT/Snap payments on my shopify website account??? Thanks

2

Try going to www.paynowdirect.com - they have a gateway payment solution and can help you get approval with the USDA/FNS.

3

Hello, my name is Ofek Lavian and I’m the co-founder & CEO of Forage (joinforage.com). We’re a payments company that helps merchants like yourself accept EBT/SNAP payments online. We recently launched the first Shopify App that helps merchants accept EBT payments (https://apps.shopify.com/ebt). Shopify store owners can meet most compliance requirements - including producing compliant receipts, split tender, and calculating the proper EBT amount to charge - by simply installing the Forage EBT Gateway to their store.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us via partners@joinforage.com

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4

I have tried to reach out to Forage and I have not been successful.

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5

I can introduce you to Forage via email if you want. Can you send me the
URL of your store, email address, name, and state your located in?

Chris Churchill

VP of Products

415-699-1609

Book a meeting with me here
<>00027015>

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Making transactions between customers and merchants easy

6

Hi Jkelly615,

We’re sorry you have not been able to get in touch with us and thank you for your continued interest in using Forage for processing Online SNAP payments. If it’s easiest, please feel free to reach out to me directly at brian@joinforage.com.

Best,

Brian [email removed] Forage

7

Any update on this? Did you go with another company or service to accept EBT/SNAP benefits or did you decide not to accept those benefits? I am in the process myself and have been SNAP approved by the USDA but trying to get it working with Shopify POS and online does not seem to be easy. I have a meeting with a Forage rep tomorrow and can give more feedback on my experience after that call.

8

Did you ever set this up on your end? We are revisiting the topic now and I was curious to know if you were successful?

9

I consult with companies that want to add online and in-person EBTs by shepherding their applications for USDA/FNS approval process. That said, LMK, if you want to do a free 30-minute phone call at 415-699-1609, where I can answer questions and advise you on whether or not it is worth it for your company to invest (time and money) to get approval. For reference here are two businesses I helped get approved:

10

Hello, I have reached out numerous times and havent been successful. Can you email me your number to call. Support@jahmaxx.com

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11

Unfortunately, I went down multiple paths including Forage and the process was overwhelming complex.

So I am approved to accept online but can’t find a reasonable solution that makes sense on a farmer’s budget to accept EBT/SNAP online.

I had to create another “payment method” on Shopify POS which I choose during the checkout process. I then go into a separate app called Marketlink that accepts EBT/SNAP to process the transaction and it’s free for the first year because of a USDA grant they received.

12

Do you mind a call to talk a little about the process? I have been looking vigorously trying to get EBT on my site and its been stressful.

13

I am happy to discuss. Do you want to talk on Monday or Tuesday? Feel free
to book a meeting here
https://chrischurchill-paynowdirect.zohobookings.com/#/ChrisC

I know the USDA/FNS process very well. I have taken a dozen clients through
the process. As you are experiencing, it is not easy, but it’s doable.

Chris

415-699-1609

14

This seems to by quite typical 2 years later. My client is USDA approved and contacted Forage 3 weeks ago, 2 weeks ago, and 1 week ago. They don’t respond. There’s no phone number.

I sent a test ‘sign up’ entry myself. You do NOT even get a simple confirmation email. Actually horrible so far!

15

We had somewhat quick initial response last year but the fees were around 7% because of their 3% fee on top of Shopify’s transaction fee. There also was a minimum fee requirement (not total purchase) that was needed or a $300 minimum fee would apply.

I couldn’t justify then or now compared to the free program I am using now through TotilPay.

16

Pay now direct is 2.7-2.9%. And allows for a split transaction with a mixed cart (non-EBT items like shipping and delivery fees). Plus, order online or in-person. It’s a good deal $89-149 a month

17

Good Afternoon Mr Chris , I’m interested in accepting snap payments in my website, can we set up a conference call.

Thank you