The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a safety net for approximately 43 million low-income individuals. Across the country, independent retailers are working with their local government and technology partners to support the nutritional needs of millions of low-income households.

Today more than ever, these individuals need online access to SNAP benefits as they navigate the impact of COVID-19. As an ecommerce provider, we’re working with the NGA to help independents learn about how they can help bring approved SNAP items to the homes of in-need shoppers.

Here is a step-by-step list of necessary requirements in order to begin the process of providing online purchasing to SNAP shoppers, as provided by our partners FNS and Fiserv.

1. First, make sure you are already approved as a SNAP retailer for brick-and-mortar operations.

• Confirm your eligibility here.
• Not yet SNAP-approved? Apply for both regular and online SNAP authorization here.

2. Once approved, fill out and send your Online SNAP Letter of Intent to sm.fn.snaponline@usda.gov.

Rosie has prepared a template letter of intent for retailers to submit. Please reach out to snap@rosieapp.com to request your LOI template.

Per the USDA, the letter must include:

• The FNS number of at least one store location, as well as the Corporation Number if you have multiple stores.
• A link to your website and a note that it is hosted by Rosie
• A note on what TPP solution you will using to handle secure PINs (Fiserv is currently the only approved vendor)
• The states you plan to operate in
• A final point acknowledging that Rosie will update your site to meet all SNAP requirements

3. Wait for approval and testing.

The Letter of Intent is the most important step in the process. After sending it in, your application will be reviewed and you will be able to continue the process with FNS and FISERV.

We hope this article provided guidance on next steps to participating in the Online SNAP pilot. Once the above requirements have been met, please reach out to us to begin the SNAP onboarding process.

For additional FNS-related information, please visit this FNS page.

For Rosie’s FNS SNAP onboarding overview, please visit us here.

Questions regarding SNAP online purchasing can be directed to Molly Pfaffenroth, NGA’s director of government relations, at mpfaffenroth@nationalgrocers.org.