US EditionUSDA Tells Grocery Stores: No Special Discounts for SNAP Recipients
The USDA enforces the SNAP Equal Treatment Rule, barring exclusive discounts for SNAP recipients amid frozen benefits affecting over 40 million people, officials said.
- USDA officials sent an industry notice on Sunday prohibiting grocery stores nationwide from offering special discounts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, a directive shared publicly after a snapshot appeared on X.
- SNAP payments were frozen starting November 1 as part of the federal government shutdown, and the program ran out of funding after officials said a contingency fund was unavailable.
- As of Monday, some retailers canceled planned discounts, including the Farm Alliance of Baltimore and at least two stores identified by Catherine Rampell, while Instacart holds an Equal Treatment Waiver and will continue its offer.
- Two federal judges ordered partial use of contingency funds, and officials pledged roughly $4.65 billion, while Democrats called the guidance `cruel`.
- November SNAP benefits typically cost more than $9 billion and serve nearly 42 million Americans, while the SNAP Equal Treatment Rule bars targeted discounts without a federal waiver for incentive programs.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Did the feds warn retailers against discounts to SNAP recipients?
Yes. The day before federal funding ran out for SNAP, the U.S. Agriculture Department warned retailers against giving discounts to recipients of the nation’s largest food assistance program. “OFFERING DISCOUNTS OR SERVICES ONLY TO SNAP PAYING CUSTOMERS IS A SNAP VIOLATION UNLESS YOU HAVE A SNAP EQUAL TREATMENT WAIVER,” the Oct. 31 notice said. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps and called FoodShare in Wi…
USDA Reminds Grocery Stores that Special Discounts for SNAP Recipients Are Illegal Without Waiver
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reminded grocery retailers that offering special discounts or incentives exclusively to food stamp users is prohibited under federal law unless stores first obtain an official waiver. In a notice updated on Oct. 30, the agency stated that retailers authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards “must comply” with the SNAP equal treatment …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
