Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator NELLIE POU
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes SNAP benefits to be used to pay grocery delivery charges.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and supplementing Title 44 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
“Electronic benefits transfer” means a method that permits electronic access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits using a card or other access device approved by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.
2. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, an individual who receives benefits under the “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP), established pursuant to the federal “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.88-525 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.), shall be permitted to utilize funds available through a SNAP electronic benefits transfer card to pay the delivery fee levied by an authorized New Jersey SNAP retailer for home delivery of the individual’s SNAP-eligible purchase.
b. The Commissioner of Human Services shall apply to the Food and Nutrition Service within the United States Department of Agriculture for any necessary waivers or approvals to implement the provisions of this act.
3. The Commissioner of Human Services shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would permit an individual who receives benefits under the “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” (SNAP) to use funds available through the individual’s SNAP electronic benefits transfer card to pay the delivery charge for home delivery of the individual’s SNAP-eligible grocery purchase. In March 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened its pilot program for online grocery purchasing to New Jersey’s SNAP participants. Individuals participating in New Jersey SNAP may purchase groceries online through Amazon, and at participating Walmart, The Fresh Grocers, and ShopRite stores. Currently, the USDA does not allow the use of SNAP funds to pay the fee charged for home delivery of grocery purchases.
The SNAP is a nutrition assistance entitlement program for low-income households regulated by Food and Nutrition Service within the USDA, pursuant to the “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008,” Pub.L.88-525 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.). At the State level, the program is administered by the county welfare agencies, under the supervision of the Division of Family Development (DFD) in the Department of Human Services.