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 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.
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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.”
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker]
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