FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/20/2020
Pritzker Administration Announces 1.8 Million SNAP Recipients Will Be Able to Buy Food Online
Access will be provided automatically to all existing Link card holders beginning June 2; Customers will not need to call or visit an office; Traditional SNAP purchasing will continue
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Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois
Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced the state’s plan to enable 1.8
million SNAP recipients to purchase food from participating grocery retailers
online has been approved by the federal government.
This new purchasing option will begin on June 2. All Link customers will be
alerted when they can use their card to make food orders online.
“To keep more families safe and healthy, my administration is expanding the
ways in which SNAP recipients can acquire groceries to include online
purchasing,” said
Governor JB Pritzker. “The best part is that in addition to
helping families shop a little easier and safer during this pandemic, this is a
permanent new feature of the SNAP landscape in Illinois that will support our
residents for many years to come."
“I partnered with Senator Duckworth and Governor Pritzker’s Administration to
push USDA to address technological barriers by approving Illinois’ request to
let SNAP recipients buy their groceries online,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.
“This step will help millions of people in our state safely put food on the
table. I will continue to look for ways to expand access to SNAP benefits
and food programs as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic so people do not go
hungry.”
“As someone whose family depended on food stamps and reduced-price meals after
my father lost his job when I was in high school, I know firsthand just how
important access to affordable food can be,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. “I
also know that no individual or family should be disadvantaged or have to
choose between putting themselves and their families at risk or going hungry
simply because they rely on SNAP benefits. The reality is that the COVID-19
pandemic has made it challenging—and even unsafe—for Illinoisans to visit
stores or travel to purchase groceries, and the work Governor Pritzker and IDHS
are doing to provide our state’s families with safe alternatives is an
important lifeline. I’m glad to have a partner like JB in Illinois, and I’ll
keep working with Senator Durbin in Washington to secure needed support at the
federal level.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved IDHS’ SNAP Electronic
Benefit Transfer (EBT) Online implementation plan, which gives SNAP customers
the ability to enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN) to order
groceries online. All SNAP recipients with Link cards in Illinois will be able
to participate.
Walmart and Amazon have agreed to accept online orders in Illinois once the
program site launches. Additional grocery retailers are welcome to join EBT
Online. Any retailers interested in the program can find more information and
apply at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot.
“We are so pleased the USDA approved our request so that we can soon begin
offering online purchasing to all SNAP recipients in Illinois,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. “This
is one more way we can make the lives of our customers a little easier during
this difficult time.”
“This is a great step towards making sure all Illinoisans have access to food
delivery, regardless of their income,”
said Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris. “I encourage
other retailers to partner with IDHS to provide at grocery delivery services to
SNAP recipients across the state.”
“The individuals and families we serve are often facing tremendous obstacles in
their lives,” said
Central Illinois Foodbank Executive Director Pam Molitoris.
“Giving them an online option to access quality food is the right thing to do,
and I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker, IDHS and the USDA for making this option
possible.”
“We applaud the Illinois Department of Human Services for taking action to
increase equity in food access by giving households receiving SNAP benefits the
option to purchase groceries online,” said
Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “SNAP
is our most effective tool to prevent hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic. It
is only fair that a household receiving SNAP benefits should have the same
opportunity as any other household to buy groceries online. This is critical
for our most vulnerable neighbors, including those who are unable to leave
their homes.”