• Interested Retailers
Retailers interested in accepting the Bridge Card for food benefits purchases must be authorized by Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

• USDA and Food Assistance Program (FAP)
The Food Assistance Program (FAP) regulations, as issued by the USDA and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), must continue to be followed under the EBT Program.

• Eligible Food Assistance Program (FAP) Benefit Purchases
The FNS Field Office has provided you with specific program information regarding what is considered an eligible Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefit purchase and will update this information as necessary. The implementation of the EBT Program in no way changes these FNS policies. Related questions should be addressed to your FNS Field Office.

• Eligible Cash Purchases
With their cash benefits, clients may purchase both food and/or non-food items in your store.

• Fees
Retailers may not charge any sort of fee for food benefit purchases, nor may a retailer set any minimum purchase amount for food benefit purchases.

• Integrated
Integrated retailers have contracted for commercial debit and credit services through a Third Party Processor and own or lease their own POS devices.

• EBT Only
These retailers are either not equipped with POS devices to accept credit or debit cards, or do not choose to use them for the Bridge Card.

• Manual Vouchers Only
These stores do less than $100 a month in Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefit business and are not provided with POS equipment.