How to Maximize SNAP and WIC to Get More Food for Your Family

Many stores publicly state whether they accept EBT, which helps you figure out where to shop for necessities. If you aren’t sure what’s available near you, use the USDA’s SNAP Retailer Locator. You’ll see a lot of traditional grocery stores in your area, but you might also see, as I did when testing it out, gas stations, dollar stores, international supermarkets, farmers markets, and small, family-run markets. 

You can also use your benefits for grocery delivery services. Instacart accepts EBT in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and waives the delivery fee for new customers. EBT recipients get 50% off Instacart+ for one year.

While you can use your benefits at traditional grocery stores, compare your options with other stores before using them, so you can make sure you’re getting the lowest prices.

WIC is specifically designed for pregnant and postpartum parents, along with infants and children up to 5 years old. WIC tends to have more restrictions on foods, including milk, cereal, produce, and baby formula.

SNAP is for individuals and families who are income-eligible to receive financial assistance to cover food costs. You can usually buy meat, dairy, produce, snacks, and seeds and plants to grow your own food.

If you get WIC, you might get a shopping voucher or shop through an EBT card that’s similar to what SNAP recipients use. WIC covers certain food items and is more restrictive on what’s covered. For instance, WIC benefits last only one month, while SNAP benefits roll over to the next month. If you don’t use all of your SNAP benefits in a month, you can have extra for the future.

If you have both WIC and SNAP, use your WIC benefits first. Then use SNAP to cover the items and needs that WIC couldn’t.

It’s not always easy to understand your benefits and track your usage. Apps like Propel help you track your SNAP benefits and offer tailored savings for each SNAP recipient.

Just because you’re receiving benefits doesn’t mean you should avoid the deals. Shopping with coupons or getting discounted food items with your SNAP benefits is a good way to stretch your benefits.

For instance, if your store features half-price items that you regularly use, stock up when there’s a deal. Check weekly circulars or mobile apps and build out your shopping list before heading to the grocery store.

You can also use the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP benefits for recipients and gives them access to double the amount of fruits and vegetables. You can use it at grocery stores and farmers markets to maximize your benefits. This program is only available in 25 states, so make sure you’re eligible before applying. 

If you use credit card loyalty programs or apps like Ibotta and Upside, you can earn cash back every time you grocery shop. Make sure you use the credit card that offers the most cash back at grocery stores. For Ibotta and Upside, it doesn’t matter how you paid for your food, as long as you upload your receipt.

Before spending your SNAP dollars, head to the food pantry first. Once you’ve gone through what you received from the food bank, you can use SNAP to supplement what you still need to buy. 

While not everyone uses food banks, these resources are vital to many communities. Food banks receive donations from across the area, and there are many different programs available. Use the food bank locator to see what’s near you.

It’s easy to buy whatever you feel like at the store, but you can make your money last even longer if you plan your meals. Try to come up with meals that everyone will enjoy, making enough to cover lunches the next day or to have as leftovers for an additional meal. Utilize multipurpose items, such as a rotisserie chicken, which can be used to create dozens of different meals. Or use ground beef that doubles as chili and cheeseburgers. 

If you’re stuck, ask ChatGPT or Co-pilot to plan out your meals based on your family size, preferences, and the items you already have to help minimize extra spending. You may not use all the ideas, but it could get your gears turning on what to make for your family over the next few days.