Starting in 2024, individuals possessing a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which disburses funds through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will have the opportunity to employ their benefits for personal grocery deliveries through the Uber Eats app.
Uber Eats unveiled its plans to revolutionize the way people access groceries by integrating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and healthcare benefits into its platform
This progressive move is set to enhance accessibility to food delivery in the post-pandemic era. Notably, the app will also accept FSA (flexible spending accounts) cards and flex cards issued through healthcare programs, including Medicaid’s Managed Care and Medicare Advantage plans. These changes come as Uber Eats continues to flourish, achieving staggering revenue growth from nearly $3.9 billion in 2020 to over $11 billion in 2022, thanks in part to its shift toward food delivery during the pandemic.
To further enhance user experience, Uber Eats is introducing an AI assistant program within the app. This feature will help customers discover attractive deals on their grocery orders, making shopping more convenient and cost-effective.
Therese Lim, senior director of products at Uber Eats, emphasized the positive impact of online food delivery in breaking down barriers to fresh groceries, particularly for vulnerable populations living in food deserts, seniors, and those with disabilities or transportation limitations. While Uber Eats is not the first delivery app to accept food stamps, it is striving to make this payment method more universally accessible.
Other delivery platforms, such as Instacart and Aldi, initiated a pilot program in 2020 to facilitate same-day grocery delivery, eventually leading to Instacart’s acceptance of food stamps nationwide
Walmart and Kroger have also adopted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments for online orders in select locations, and Amazon Prime enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program card registration for online food purchases in most states.
Despite the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program being the largest food assistance program in the United States, accessibility remains a challenge. Uber’s entry into accepting healthcare benefit payments for grocery delivery signifies a major step towards addressing this issue, providing a lifeline for millions of Americans in need. However, it’s essential to note that these benefits cannot be used to order takeout food from restaurants via Uber Eats. Instead, customers can explore the “Sales Aisle” feature, a digital coupon book offering curated regional promotions and discounts. Additionally, Uber plans to introduce an AI chatbot, promising seamless meal planning, budget-friendly shopping, and easy ingredient ordering for favorite recipes, further enriching the user experience.
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