Amazon has taken a significant step to enhance accessibility and affordability for low-income customers by expanding its payment options to include Cash EBT benefits in 17 states and Washington, D.C. This move allows eligible customers to purchase a broader range of products beyond food, such as electronics, toys, beauty and personal care items, and home and kitchen supplies. Facilitated through Amazon Access, a platform that provides information on special programs and discounts, this new payment method covers diverse items, shipping costs, and products sold by third-party sellers.
The initiative underscores Amazon’s commitment to making shopping more accessible and affordable for those relying on federal benefits. Nancy Dalton, director of Amazon Access, highlighted that this expansion enhances convenience and access for low-income customers, emphasizing the company’s dedication to meeting the needs of financially challenged individuals. Amazon’s proactive approach to accepting federal benefit payments online began with the USDA’s SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot in April 2019, establishing the company as an early leader in this area. By continually expanding these options, Amazon has demonstrated a clear commitment to supporting the financial needs of its low-income customers.
Expanding Accessibility
By accepting SNAP EBT and offering discounted Prime memberships through the Prime Access program, Amazon further supports federally assisted users. The recent inclusion of Cash EBT acceptance in 17 states, such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and West Virginia, including Washington, D.C., marks another significant step in broadening accessibility. This initiative reflects a broader trend in the retail industry towards increasing access to essential services and products for low-income households, aligning with national efforts to foster economic support and digital inclusion.
The acceptance of Cash EBT enables an extensive range of shopping opportunities for those who rely on these federal benefits. Not only does it cover non-food items and essential household supplies, but it also extends to shipping costs, making online shopping an attractive and accessible option for financially constrained customers. Third-party sellers are also included in this payment option, providing a wider variety of products and encouraging shopping within the Amazon ecosystem. This multifaceted approach underscores Amazon’s role in integrating federal benefit payments into its shopping platform.
Commitment to Digital Inclusion
Amazon has significantly improved its services for low-income customers by adding Cash EBT as a payment option in 17 states and Washington, D.C. This development allows eligible customers to buy a wider range of items, including electronics, toys, beauty products, personal care items, and home essentials, rather than being limited to just food. Through Amazon Access, a platform dedicated to special programs and discounts, this payment method now encompasses a variety of products, shipping fees, and items from third-party sellers.
This initiative highlights Amazon’s aim to make shopping more accessible and budget-friendly for those who rely on federal benefits. Nancy Dalton, the director of Amazon Access, pointed out that this expansion boosts convenience and access for low-income shoppers, reinforcing Amazon’s commitment to supporting financially struggling individuals. Since commencing federal benefit payment acceptance with the USDA’s SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot in April 2019, Amazon has proven to be a pioneer in this sector. By continuously widening these payment options, Amazon demonstrates its ongoing dedication to catering to the financial needs of its low-income customers.
