If you are among the 42 million Americans who receive monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, I have good news: You can now use your EBT card to order eligible groceries delivered straight to your door through Uber Eats. All you should have is a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
EBT payment acceptance on Uber Eats is more than just a new feature—it is a step toward making healthy ageing a reality for more older Americans.
Continue reading to see how you can use SNAP and online grocery delivery to save time, stay independent, and keep your kitchen stocked with fresh, nutritious foods.
What is Uber Eats?
Uber Eats is a digital food delivery platform. You can order meals and shop for groceries from local restaurants and stores through an app or site, and someone delivers your items directly to your home.
Recently, Uber Eats expanded its grocery delivery payment options to include EBT cards, which is how people with SNAP receive their monthly bonuses.
Why Does this News Matter for Older Adults?
A great part of aging well is having access to affordable fresh produce, meats, dairy products, and other healthy foods. But more than 9 million older adults in the United States face food insecurity, meaning they can’t easily get high-quality food to meet their basic needs.
Mobility challenges, chronic health conditions, transportation issues, and lack of nearby stores all contribute to food insecurity. Additionally, healthier foods can be twice as expensive as less healthy options, which puts extra pressure on tight budgets.
When used together, SNAP and Uber Eats help address these problems.
“Programs like SNAP can be a lifeline for at-risk older adults, but they only work well if people can use them easily,” asserted Josh Hodges, NCOA’s Chief Customer Officer. “Accepting SNAP dollars on a platform like Uber Eats gives consumers a convenient new way to get the food they need every day. For many, this can mean fewer skipped meals, a more nourishing diet, and less stress and worry.”
How Do Online Food Delivery Platforms Support Aging in Place?
Staying well and living independently at home are major goals for many Americans as they get older. Online food delivery services like Uber Eats promote aging in place in several ways:
- They save time and do away hassle: With grocery and food delivery platforms, you can order groceries and have them delivered right to your house. There is no need to drive, wait in line, or carry heavy bags. This is especially valuable if you have limited mobility, have a chronic health challenge, or live in a rural area.
- They assist caregivers and families: If you are a caregiver or relative, you can place grocery orders on behalf of someone you care for—even if you live halfway across the country.
- They offer a user-friendly experience: Uber Eats has worked to streamline their app and site, with features that help make grocery shopping simpler and less stressful:
- Order tracking, so you know when your groceries will get delivered
- Saved preferences, making it not difficult to reorder favorite items
- Accessible design, with clear text and intuitive navigation
How Can I Use My EBT Card with Uber Eats?
If you have a SNAP EBT card and a smartphone (or another internet-connected device), you are ready to give Uber Eats a try! First, if you do not have an Uber Eats account, you will need to create one (on the home page, click the button that says “Sign Up”).
Once you have created an account, follow this step-by-step guide to get started ordering food:
1. Add Your EBT Card
- Open the Uber Eats app or go to the Uber Eats site.
- Tap “Account,” then go to Wallet.
- Select “+ Add payment method” and choose EBT.
- Enter the EBT card details and save it as a payment option.
2. Shop for SNAP-eligible Items
- Browse grocery items in the Uber Eats app. SNAP-eligible foods will be clearly marked.
- Add items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, bread, and canned goods to the cart.
- Non-eligible items (like hot foods or household products) will need to be paid for differently.
3. Check out and pay
- When you are ready to check out, select your EBT card as the payment method.
- If the cart includes items not covered by SNAP, you’ll be prompted to enter a second payment method (like a credit/debit card) for those items.
- Place your order and track the delivery from the Uber Eats app or site in real time.
Empowering Older Adults with More Choices
If you are having trouble affording food, SNAP can help by giving you monthly benefits to purchase groceries and eat healthier. The average SNAP benefit for a one-person senior household is $188 in a month, or $2,256 per year. Learn more about SNAP through NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp tool.
SNAP offers much-needed relief to people like Jane, who discovered he had little money left over for groceries after her landlord raised his monthly rent. A counselor at one of our Benefits Enrollment Centers helped Jane apply for SNAP and other benefits programs that could stretch her budget. After learning she was approved for $300 in monthly SNAP benefits, the 74-year-old phoned her counselor in tears: “I am so thankful I no longer have to worry about buying food every day,” he told her.
Whether you are managing a health condition or you just want an easier way to get groceries, online food delivery platforms like Uber Eats can help you stay strong and self-sufficient as you age. And, if you need a ride, Uber has features made just for you. You can now use the Uber rideshare app in Simple Mode, which is easier to use and has the same reliable transprotation alternativess.
Have a family member who is comfortable with the platform? Ask them to add you to their Family profile in a “Senior Account“. Once done, you can share ride and payment information with someone you trust.