After unrest in the Twin Cities saw looting and destruction of some important resources to communities, like grocery stores and pharmacies, many low-income families are having difficulty finding the food and resources they need. This is especially hard during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing is key to stop the spread of the virus.
So, there is now a digital option: Minnesotans with low incomes are now able to purchase food online using their SNAP benefits. In late May, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced that those who use the federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Minnesota, also called SNAP, can purchase groceries online. The move impacts about 400,000 people who use SNAP benefits in the state.
The Department of Human Services, or DHS, says the move was implemented to help increase access to food and enable safe purchasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. DHS says the new option is vital to maintain social distancing during the pandemic — while at the same time helping Minnesotans put healthy food on their tables.
For now, Walmart and Amazon are the only online retailers approved by the United States Department of Agriculture for SNAP purchases, and available in Minnesota.
The average monthly SNAP benefit for each household member is $109 in Minnesota. Minnesotans are eligible for SNAP when their annual income is well below the federal poverty level.
For more information on eligibility and to apply for SNAP benefits, contact your county or tribal human services office or visit the DHS’s ApplyMN website.
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