Assembly Bill Aims to Alleviate Financial Strain on Low-Income Households

In a significant move to enhance accessibility and alleviate financial burdens for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries in New Jersey, the Assembly Human Services Committee has favorably reported Assembly Bill No. 2040. The bill urges the Commissioner of Human Services to seek approval from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service for the use of SNAP benefits in covering grocery delivery fees.

Presently, SNAP funds do not extend to cover the charges associated with home grocery deliveries, posing a challenge for low-income households. Assembly Bill No. 2040 aims to address this limitation, potentially making it easier for SNAP recipients to access essential food items without the added hurdle of delivery costs.

New Jersey’s SNAP participants were included in a USDA pilot program for online grocery purchasing in March 2020. This initiative allowed them to make online purchases from various retailers, including major platforms like Amazon and 17 other statewide stores. However, the inability to utilize SNAP benefits for delivery fees has persisted as a hindrance to the program’s full effectiveness.

SNAP, a crucial nutrition assistance program, is overseen by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and is intended to support low-income households in meeting their nutritional needs. At the state level, SNAP is administered by county welfare agencies under the supervision of the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development (DFD).

Assembly Bill No. 2040, slated for introduction in the 2022-2023 session, incorporates revisions from a technical review. If approved, this legislation could significantly streamline the process of obtaining groceries for many SNAP beneficiaries, particularly those facing limited mobility or residing in areas with fewer accessible grocery stores.