Instacart Introduces SNAP Eligibility Screener

Instacart is taking another step to address food insecurity in the U.S. by launching a SNAP eligibility screener, a tool designed to help individuals determine if they may qualify for food assistance benefits. Here’s a summary of the announcement:

Key Details of the SNAP Eligibility Screener

1. Functionality:
   • The tool, developed with Advocatia Solutions, Inc., allows users to:
     • Check SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) eligibility in under a minute.
     • Access state-specific resources for enrollment.
   • Operates anonymously, ensuring user privacy.
2. Healthcare Integration:
   • Healthcare organizations, including the National Association of Community Health Centers, can recommend and utilize the tool in clinical settings.
   • This integration aims to address nutrition insecurity as part of overall healthcare.
3. Broader Impact:
   • SNAP served 42 million individuals monthly in 2023, per USDA data.
   • Instacart’s screener could streamline access to these critical benefits for millions of eligible participants.

Instacart’s Commitment to SNAP

• SNAP Online Purchasing:
  Instacart pioneered SNAP acceptance for online grocery shopping, achieving coverage across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in 2023.
• Discounted Memberships:
  At the end of 2022, the company introduced a discounted membership program for SNAP participants, making its services more accessible.
• Retail Partnerships:
  Instacart connects 98% of SNAP-enrolled U.S. households to an extensive network of 180 retail banners and over 30,000 stores.

Why It Matters

Food insecurity affects one in eight Americans, and with rising economic pressures, tools like Instacart’s screener could have a meaningful impact by:

• Reducing barriers to SNAP enrollment.
• Helping families quickly assess and access resources.
• Empowering healthcare providers to address nutrition as part of patient care.

This initiative highlights Instacart’s ongoing efforts to innovate in the grocery sector while addressing critical social challenges.