Important Reminder
What is a credit account?
- If you allow customers to buy food and drinks but pay with SNAP benefits later (e.g. weekly or
monthly), you are extending credit (keeping a credit account). This is not allowed. - In general, customers that pay with SNAP benefits must pay at the time they receive their food.
- You may not write down your customer’s EBT card number or hold or keep the EBT card on a
customer’s behalf.
What happens if I allow credit accounts to be paid with SNAP benefits?
- Your store may be disqualified from SNAP and fined.
- When you violate SNAP rules your store may also be disqualified from WIC.
Train Your Employees
- As a store owner, you are responsible for violations of SNAP rules, including those committed by your employees.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the training materials are reviewed by your store employees whether paid or unpaid, new, full-time, or part-time.
- You can use these training materials to learn about SNAP rules.
You can prevent violations with a store compliance policy and training program.
View training information and important reminders on the SNAP Retailer Training page.
If you have questions, please contact FNS SNAP at RPMDHQ-Web@fns.usda.gov.
SNAP Retailer Notice - 03/25/2024