More than 41 million Americans rely on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) to buy groceries each month through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For many families, it’s the only way to put healthy food on the table.
However, thousands of small grocers, delis, butcher shops, and fish markets still don’t accept EBT — often because they assume it’s complicated or not worth the effort.
Accepting EBT payments is more than community service — it’s good business. Every customer turned away is a sale lost to the supermarket down the street. With a little preparation and the right payment processor, most markets can start supporting transactions in a matter of weeks.
Learn how to accept EBT at your store and which tools and providers simplify the process.
What Is EBT?
EBT, or Electronic Benefit Transfer, is the system the federal government uses to distribute SNAP benefits. Instead of paper food stamps, participants receive a plastic card that works like a debit card at approved retailers.
SNAP funds are loaded onto the card each month, and recipients can use it to purchase eligible food items. These typically include groceries like fresh meat and seafood, deli products, dairy, produce, and staple packaged goods.
The EBT network operates under federal oversight through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). To accept EBT, your business must be authorized by the FNS and use a payment processor set up for EBT transactions.
Benefits of EBT Processing for Small Markets
Accepting EBT can have a powerful impact on your market’s customer base, cash flow, and community presence.
Taking these payments lets you:
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Expand your customer reach: Welcome local families who rely on SNAP benefits and want to shop close to home instead of traveling to big-box stores.
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Increase regular foot traffic: Bring in repeat shoppers each month when benefits are reloaded, creating regular business for your core food items.
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Improve inventory turnover: Move perishable items like seafood, produce, and baked goods, keeping your stock fresh and reducing waste.
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Compete with larger chains: Match the convenience customers expect from big stores while offering the personal service only small markets can provide.
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Support local economic stability: Keep food dollars circulating in your community, supporting your employees, local vendors, and small businesses that supply your market.
Partnering with SNAP offers clear advantages, but you need approval before you can start processing EBT.
How To Accept EBT: Steps To Take
Getting approved to accept EBT involves two main steps: submitting your information to the USDA and setting up an EBT-compatible payment system.
Step 1: Apply for an EBT License
You must sign up through the USDA FNS to become an authorized SNAP retailer.
Here’s how:
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Create an account on Login.gov.
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Review eligibility rules, like staple food requirements, inventory variety, and store type, to make sure you qualify.
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Open the SNAP Retailer Application and complete it within 30 days.
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Enter your business details, including your employer identification number (EIN), ownership information, and store type.
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Submit the form, and allow 45 days for FNS to process your application.
Once approved, you’ll receive an FNS authorization number so you can begin processing EBT payments.
Step 2: Choose an EBT-Compatible Payment Processor
Approval alone doesn’t make you EBT-ready — you need a point of sale (POS) system or terminal to securely process SNAP transactions.
When reviewing tools, make sure they let you:
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Process EBT payments through an FNS-certified system.
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Accept EBT, credit, and debit transactions on the same device.
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Enter customer PINs securely to meet compliance standards.
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Connect with your existing POS or register without extra hardware.
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Generate transaction and sales reports for simple record-keeping.
Choosing the right processor helps every EBT transaction run smoothly and keeps your checkout line moving.
4 Top Payment Processors for EBT
Several major payment processors support EBT transactions for small and midsize food retailers.
Here are a few trusted options to consider.
1. Markt POS: Best for All-in-One EBT and Retail Management
Markt POS provides a complete solution for grocery stores, delis, and butcher shops. It handles EBT payments, inventory, reporting, and customer analytics in one connected system. It’s built for food retailers who want an easy way to manage transactions and grow their business.
2. TotilPay: Best for Established Retailers Adding EBT
TotilPay provides certified EBT processing that integrates with most cloud-based POS systems and card terminals. It’s a trusted option for grocery stores, corner markets, and specialty food shops that want to add SNAP payments alongside regular card transactions.
3. MarketLink: Best for New or Smaller Markets
MarketLink partners with the USDA to help small retailers and farm markets accept EBT quickly. They often provide free or discounted equipment through grant programs, making them ideal for businesses just getting set up.
4. Worldpay: Best for Integrated Payment Solutions
Worldpay supports EBT for eligible retailers and offers full-service payment integration across card types, including chip and mobile wallet transactions. Their 24/7 customer support helps small markets resolve payment issues fast and keep lines moving.
Accept EBT Payments With Markt POS
Knowing how to accept SNAP benefits opens your doors to more families and keeps food dollars local. If you’re looking for an all-in-one system that handles inventory, payments, and compliance, you need a POS built for food retailers that’s already been approved for SNAP transactions.
Markt POS makes it simple. It combines full EBT compatibility with the tools your market needs to manage daily operations efficiently.
With Markt POS, you can:
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Process EBT and card payments on the same system.
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Track eligible vs. ineligible items automatically.
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Generate detailed transaction reports for FNS audits.
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Manage inventory, loyalty programs, and vendor orders in one dashboard.
Plus, Markt POS offers personalized onboarding to help small markets set up their system and train employees to handle EBT transactions smoothly.
You could be ready to accept EBT payments in just a few weeks. Use our Build and Price tool to design your system and see how Markt POS helps you welcome new customers, boost repeat sales, and grow your market.
by Joel
by Luke