​

Important EBT information

​

  Each EBT Application requires a certain amount of information regarding the applicant’s personal history.  FNS will also ask about the history of your business (including the financial history of your operation), and how the business is generally managed.  Sometimes the USDA will require a store to supplement its EBT business application.  The USDA often asks the store owner(s) to produce information and documents to demonstrate that the applicant(s) is the actual owner or who will be running the store.  Other documents the Department may require include: your personal tax returns, your business licenses, your lottery and liquor licenses, your bank records and a personal affidavit.

​

More recently, the USDA has been concerned with eliminating carry-out stores, small stores without sufficient inventory, and store owners with any criminal background. explanations to the Department.  We have fought a number of application denial appeals as well, and won licenses for our clients’ stores.  Our team can help to make sure that the Department receives the information it requests, while making certain that you avoid costly mistakes that could result in a denial of your EBT application.

 

Store Eligibility Requirements

​

SNAP authorized stores must meet one of two staple food requirements:

• Criterion A - staple food inventory; or

• Criterion B - staple food sales

Staple foods are the basic foods that make up a significant portion of a person’s diet. They are usually prepared at home and eaten as a meal. They do not include prepared foods, heated foods, or accessory foods.

Staple food categories:

1. vegetables or fruits

2. dairy products

3. meat, poultry, or fish

4. breads or cereals

Criterion A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A store must have 3 stocking units of 3 different varieties for each staple food category on a continuous basis. For 2 staple food categories, there must be at least 1 perishable variety. Most stores are authorized under Criterion A.

​

 

 

Criterion B
A store must have more than 50 percent of its total gross retail sales from the sale of staple foods. Specialty stores, like butcher shops, are often authorized under Criterion B

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​Determination of authorization

 

An applicant shall provide sufficient data and information on the nature and scope of the firm's business for FNS to determine whether the applicant's participation will further the purposes of the program. Upon request, an applicant shall provide documentation to FNS to verify information on the application. Such information may include, but is not limited to, State and local business licenses, Social Security cards, drivers' licenses, photographic identification cards, bills of sale, deeds, leases, sales contracts, State certificates of incorporation, sales records, invoice records and business-related tax records. 

​

    Retail food stores and wholesale food concerns and other entities eligible for authorization also shall be required to sign a release form which will authorize FNS to verify all relevant business related tax filings with appropriate agencies. In addition, they must obtain corroborating documentation from other sources as deemed necessary to ensure the legitimacy of applicant firms, as well as the accuracy of information provided by the stores and concerns. Failure to comply with any request for information or failure to sign a written release form shall result in denial of the application for authorization or withdrawal of a firm or concern from the program.
 

​