SNAP households are automatically enrolled in HIP when their case is approved. A welcome notice is generated to the household outlining how HIP works.
SNAP households earn a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a monthly cap based on household size, on HIP-eligible fruits and vegetables.
To earn HIP incentives, SNAP clients must spend their SNAP benefits on fruits and vegetables with eligible HIP retailers at:
Farmers’ markets
Farm stands
Mobile markets
Not every farmer participates in HIP. To find a list of HIP retailers, visit www.DTAFinder.com.
Note |
HIP cannot be earned at food stores, like supermarkets. However, HIP incentives can be used at any location that accepts SNAP. |
HIP Benefit Monthly Cap Amounts
Household Size |
Monthly Cap Amount |
1-2 |
$40 |
3-5 |
$60 |
6+ |
$80 |
Important |
To earn HIP incentive benefits, SNAP households must have a balance on their EBT card. Unlike SNAP benefits which are issued on a cyclical month, HIP runs on a calendar month. This means that SNAP households are able to earn their monthly cap starting the 1st of every month and have until the last day of that month to reach their cap. |
When a HIP-approved purchase is made, the HIP incentive benefit is immediately credited to the household’s EBT account and may be redeemed immediately or saved for a future purchase, similar to SNAP benefits. HIP incentives can be used just as SNAP benefits and, if unused, will remain on the household’s EBT card up to the expungement period.
After each HIP-eligible purchase, the receipt identifies the amount of the HIP incentives earned, as well as the month-to-date total. SNAP households can also get this information by calling EBT Customer Service at 1-800-997-2555.
Sample Receipt
EPPIC
EPPIC transaction history identifies HIP-eligible purchases as FINI
INCENTIVE REBATE and includes the amount earned back on the purchase.
If a portion of or entire HIP cap was earned in the calendar month, the
remaining portion or $0.00 will be listed as the amount.
BEACON
The
FINI Participation page was created to record SNAP households’ participation.
It allows DTA staff to identify which households are participating in
HIP. The FINI Participation page records when the household made their
first HIP-eligible purchase. The BEACON page is named after the original
USDA FINI grant.
Cancellation
Participation in HIP is voluntary. SNAP households can choose to opt-out of HIP at any time. When this request is processed (DTA Staff Responsibilities (link)), a HIP special batch narrative is generated and the SNAP household is issued a cancellation notice outlining the effective date and how to re-enroll.
Note |
The HIP special batch narrative references outdated contact information. Please refer to DTA Staff Responsibilities for current points of contact. |
HIP Benefit Adjustments
At times, a HIP benefit is not immediately credited to a SNAP household’s EBT card upon transaction of a HIP-eligible purchase. This is generally due to technical issues with the retailer’s equipment. When a benefit adjustment is processed (DTA Staff Responsibilities) a benefit adjustment notice is issued to the household informing them of the date and the name of the retailer where the issue occurred and when the HIP benefit was credited to their EBT card.
HIP benefit adjustments are issued when the following occurs:
Purchase was HIP-eligible fruits and vegetables
Purchase was made at an authorized HIP retailer
HIP cap had not yet been reached in the calendar month
Last Update: August 24, 2018