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CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has begun accepting electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards and food stamps provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at its stores nationwide.
The drug store chain said Thursday that the move helps the retailer to better meet the needs of many customers. It noted that more than 38 million Americans received food assistance through SNAP last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
"One in eight Americans are receiving food assistance through SNAP according to the USDA," Brian Fiala, executive vice president of store operations at Rite Aid, said in a statement. "With nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores nationwide offering assorted groceries, accepting EBT cards is just another convenience we can offer to our customers and help make their lives a little easier."
Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is administered by the USDA and offers families and individuals at certain income levels financial assistance in purchasing food and beverages.
The EBT system enables SNAP recipients, who are issued EBT cards that work like debit cards, to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received. Eligible purchases — which include any food, candy or nonalcoholic beverage — are deducted from the balance on their card.