Meal delivery kit services like Hello Fresh have exploded in popularity in recent years. Getting pre-portioned fresh ingredients and recipes delivered to your door is certainly convenient. But can those relying on government food assistance programs use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to pay for meal kits from Hello Fresh?
The short answer is no – Hello Fresh currently does not accept EBT payments. However, there are some limited exceptions through government pilot programs for online EBT ordering. And other meal delivery companies may take EBT in certain situations.
Throughout this article, we’ll explore the details around whether you can use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Hello Fresh meal kits, reasons why EBT is not accepted, potential workarounds, future acceptance possibilities, and alternative ideas for those on a tight food budget.
Why Would Customers Want to Use EBT for Meal Delivery?
There are a number of reasons why some relying on SNAP food assistance would love to use their benefits on meal kit delivery services. Having ingredients and recipes for meals sent to your home weekly provides:
- Convenience – Skipping grocery trips to have what you need delivered is a huge help for those short on time or transportation.
- Less Food Waste – Only getting what’s needed for recipes cuts down on spoiled ingredients.
- Cost Savings – Meal planning and prepped ingredients save money over takeout.
- Cooking Guidance – Instructions and perfectly portioned ingredients make preparing meals easier.
Additionally, many households receiving SNAP benefits qualify due to having difficulties accessing or affording fresh and nutritious food options. Being able to use EBT cards on discounted or promotional meal kit deliveries could provide healthy ingredients families would otherwise struggle to obtain.
Can You Use EBT/Food Stamps for Hello Fresh Deliveries?
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s look at the specifics around Hello Fresh EBT and food stamps acceptance. According to conversations with Hello Fresh customer service representatives and confirmed on their website’s help documentation, Hello Fresh does not accept EBT card payments at this time.
The reason comes down to restrictions on what types of retailers can participate in SNAP and accept payments via Electronic Benefit Transfer debit cards. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has requirements for stores related to the types and amounts of staple grocery items they must sell to take EBT.
While Hello Fresh does deliver food to prepare meals at home, their meal kit subscription service doesn’t meet standards the USDA sets for SNAP retailers. So for now, EBT cards cannot be used as payment for scheduled Hello Fresh deliveries.
Are Meal Delivery Kits EBT Eligible?
In the modern digital era, rules around SNAP EBT benefit usage get a bit complex when considering new ecommerce businesses and technology. Meal kits from companies like Hello Fresh provide ingredients for cooking at home rather than fully prepared hot meals.
This means most meal delivery meal kits could technically be eligible for purchase with EBT benefits. However, retailers have to specifically apply to and get approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service branch to accept SNAP online payments. Outside of a few limited pilot programs we’ll discuss next, most meal kit companies like Hello Fresh have not gone through this process yet.
There’s also the question around any fees related to delivery, service, or other additional costs with meal kit subscription charges. Generally EBT SNAP strictly pays for food items only. So while the actual ingredients would qualify, other fees may need to be paid with separate non-EBT payment methods.
Limited Exceptions: EBT Online Ordering Pilot Programs
To help modernize and expand online grocery access for those receiving food assistance benefits, the USDA does have some small pilot programs allowing EBT SNAP payments for online food orders. Retailers have to specifically enroll to trial these initiatives in certain states before potentially expanding nationwide.
The rules still don’t apply to most meal kit delivery companies, but there are a couple situations where those receiving SNAP benefits may be able to order some types of kits using an Electronic Benefits Transfer card online:
- Top Box Foods – This healthy grocery delivery service provides various boxes and combos of kitchen staples, snacks, proteins etc. As they sell SNAP-eligible grocery products for home preparation only, Top Box has been USDA approved to accept EBT benefit payments in the state of Illinois when ordering for delivery online.
- In-Person EBT Payment – A couple of retailers participating with delivery partners in the SNAP online pilot programs allow ordering ahead online and then payment upon delivery with an EBT card. For example, Aldi via Instacart and select locations of Walmart and ALDI provide this meal kit option in certain states only.
Outside of those couple situation, there is currently no meal delivery service that accepts online EBT payments directly for meal kits nationwide. And major market leaders in the space like Hello Fresh have shared no information about plans to pursuing allowing SNAP benefit payments.
Why Isn’t Hello Fresh Accepting EBT Cards Currently?
While healthy ingredients and meals delivered to your door would seemingly help those the SNAP food assistance program aims to serve, the reason most meal kit companies are not participating revolves around restrictions on what EBT benefits can be used for. As mentioned, EBT cards generally can’t be used for:
- Hot prepared takeout food meals
- Delivery fees
- Alcohol, tobacco, pet food, vitamins, medicines, etc.
With meal kit services subsidizing costs with promotions and typically charging monthly subscription plans, they don’t meet EBT SNAP requirements in their current models.
Additionally, becoming a USDA authorized SNAP retailer requires meeting thresholds for store staple food offerings, which primarily meal kit providers wouldn’t stock. While companies like Hello Fresh may eventually adjust their business model to accept EBT, at this time paid meal planning and delivery services remain ineligible for SNAP benefit usage.
What About Other Meal Delivery Companies and EBT?
As of now, no other major national meal kit delivery brands accept EBT payments either. Consumer favorite services like Blue Apron, Home Chef, Sunbasket, Green Chef and the like only allow online orders via standard payment methods. Typically credit/debit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay, etc.
There are likely opportunities in the future for meal kit companies and prepared meal delivery services to become eligible SNAP merchants as more adjust their models, apply for authorization, and get added to expanding government pilot programs. But outside of isolated regional situations, the majority currently do not take Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
A few smaller specialized diet, health focused or local meal delivery companies have managed to qualify for and accept SNAP benefits. These remain extremely rare exceptions though, available sporadically across different states. Verify eligibility directly for regional meal kit services before ordering if paying with EBT.
No SNAP or Hello Fresh related announcements have been made about nationwide acceptance or impacts from factors like the USDA permitting prepared restaurant meals for some EBT households. So for now, all indications remain that those receiving food assistance benefits cannot use them to pay for national meal kit delivery subscription services.
Other Grocery and Meal Options for EBT SNAP Recipients
While the reasons why major meal delivery brands don’t accept EBT are understandable from a business model perspective, those relying on food stamps certainly could benefit from affordable and convenient options.
If you receive SNAP assistance and want to use your Electronic Benefits Transfer card to order groceries or meals online, there are a couple alternative ideas besides Hello Fresh to consider exploring:
- Retailers Offering EBT Online Orders – Large chains like Walmart, ALDI, Safeway and others allow ordering online for delivery, curbside or in-store pickup when paying with EBT in qualifying areas.
- Restaurant Meal Programs – Some SNAP recipients such as seniors or those who are disabled/homeless qualify to order hot prepared meals for delivery using benefits.
- Discount Grocery Apps – Apps like Olio connect those with extra food or groceries they don’t need with people who could use them in their area.
- Food Box Programs – Charities and organizations provide free produce/dairy boxes or prepared meals in many places locally for those in need.
While major meal kit subscription services remain mostly incompatible with Electronic Benefit Transfer card purchasing currently, there are ways to access quality ingredients. Speak with local food banks/pantries, check SNAP retailer listings, or investigate delivery options in your community to find healthy on-a-budget solutions for your household.
Will Meal Delivery Companies Like Hello Fresh Ever Take EBT?
As the rules, technology and business models around SNAP EBT food assistance evolve over time, there is certainly a possibility that Hello Fresh along with other meal kit providers might eventually accept Electronic Benefit Transfer debit payments.
Small scale USDA pilot programs allowing online orders with EBT show promise in their limited locations. Retail giants like Amazon and Walmart participating add legitimacy and corporate pressure for competitors in grocery/food industries to follow suit.
These early governmental initiatives around prepared food, delivery programs and modernizing statutes seem indicators of future expansions that meal kit companies could take advantage of with adjustments to qualify.
While still likely years away from most offering EBT card transactions for deliveries, Hello Fresh and major meal planning services may someday enroll to begin opening affordable access to their subscription offerings for SNAP benefit earning households.
Hello Fresh Payment Options for Non-EBT Customers
Since an EBT card isn’t yet accepted by Hello Fresh for meal kit deliveries, what options do subscription members have for payment? Like most ecommerce food and grocery providers, Hello Fresh takes most major standard online payment formats, including:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit card (must have Visa or Mastercard logo)
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- HelloFresh gift cards
These open electronic payment processing alternatives allow non-EBT customers flexible ways to fund their convenient home meal deliveries.
Hello Fresh does not currently accept more obscure methods we sometimes see questions around like:
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum etc)
- Money orders
- Checks or cash payments
- Direct bank account transfers
So outside of someday potentially expanding to allow SNAP EBT acceptance, those looking to pay for their weekly dispatched meal kits primarily need to utilize one of the major online payment platforms Hello Fresh has implemented.
Can an EBT Card Be Used for Discounted Promotional Boxes?
A final question that often comes up is whether EBT cards can be used if wanting to try Hello Fresh or a similar service using promotional offers. Discount codes are popular consumer hooks for first time meal kit purchasers.
Typically specials like “Get your 1st box 50% off + free shipping” still cannot be purchased using SNAP EBT benefits. The USDA has strict rules around discounts or subsidies on food items for SNAP recipients. So even steeply reduced price first time trial boxes would need to be paid using your own funds.
In theory a SNAP household could sign up for an initial promotional deal from Hello Fresh to attempt accessing affordable ingredients. But keep eligibility requirements related to EBT purchasing restrictions in mind for any continuing subscription meals after prepaid trial deliveries conclude.
Conclusion – Hello Fresh Currently Does Not Accept SNAP EBT Cards
As we’ve covered, Electronic Benefit Transfer debit payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are not viable online options for getting meal delivery kits from Hello Fresh at this time. Requirements designating authorized SNAP retailers exclude specialized subscription services like meal planning companies.
There are small pilot initiatives attempting to bring EBT acceptance in line with modern shopping and ecommerce conveniences. But major meal kit providers don’t meet staple food inventory or eligibility standards for SNAP merchant approval presently.
Hope still remains that positive governmental updates combined with shifts in service models could someday open EBT SNAP funding for quality meal access offerings through Hello Fresh. Until then, those receiving food assistance benefits unfortunately cannot apply them towards convenient weekly dispatched ingredient recipe kits.
I hope this guide has helped explain whether or not you can use EBT to purchase Hello Fresh meal deliveries! Let me know if you have any other questions.
