For a grocery or convenience store in a neighborhood with SNAP shoppers, taking EBT is not optional. It is a big share of your customers. Here is what you need to accept EBT at the register, and what it costs with NRS.
Step 1: get authorized
Before any POS can take EBT, your store must be authorized to accept SNAP. That approval comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), not from your POS company. You apply with FNS, and once approved you receive the number your processor needs.
If you are not authorized yet, Dipendra can point you in the right direction while your POS is being set up.
Step 2: a POS and processor that handle EBT
Once you're authorized, your register needs to:
- Take EBT cards at the card reader, alongside credit and debit.
- Know which items are SNAP-eligible. SNAP covers most food for home, but not hot prepared foods, alcohol or tobacco. A mixed basket has to split correctly.
- Show the customer's split clearly: what went on EBT, and what they still owe.
What EBT costs with NRS
Many processors charge per EBT transaction, which adds up in a busy store. NRS PAY offers EBT Unlimited:
- $49.95 a month, flat
- $0 per EBT swipe, no matter how many you run
- Without the plan, EBT transactions are 10¢ each
(NRS list prices, October 2026.) If you run more than about 500 EBT transactions a month, the flat plan costs less than paying per swipe.
eWIC too
NRS also supports paperless eWIC, for stores authorized to accept WIC. It runs through the same register, so WIC shoppers don't need a separate lane.
The rest of a grocery setup
EBT is one piece. A store that takes SNAP usually also needs:
- A big pricebook. The Cheetah POS holds up to 15,000 UPCs, and the pricebook comes pre-loaded with thousands of popular items.
- A scale for produce and meat. The Cheetah works with a scanner/scale combo.
- Low-stock alerts so staples don't run out on benefit days.
Next step
See how NRS works for grocery and convenience stores, or ask Dipendra for a quote that includes EBT Unlimited.