PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved South Dakota’s request to be able to provide online purchasing of food to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households– but the start date has yet to be determined.

State Department of Social Services Secretary Laurie Gill says SNAP benefits give a much-needed boost to those who may be struggling with food costs.

Gill says many grocers have made adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic to make getting healthy food as easy as possible for SNAP recipients to obtain.

Gill says currently there are two nationwide retailers approved to take the electronic benefit transaction (EBT) cards SNAP clients use, but local grocery stores will also eventually be able to participate in the online SNAP option.

South Dakota’s SNAP participation is more than 35,000 households, 75,000 individuals and totals $122 million annually in federal benefits.