How to Use EBT/SNAP to Send Food Packages to NYS Inmates
Shopping for food for an incarcerated loved one can become expensive, especially when families are already managing everyday household expenses. For families who receive SNAP benefits, CIG Essentials offers another way to shop for eligible food items for loved ones in New York State correctional facilities.
With the CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam’s Club Premier Pickup Service, customers can shop directly through participating Walmart or Sam’s Club services, choose eligible products, and use EBT/SNAP for qualifying purchases when supported by the retailer.
How Does the CIG Essentials Pickup Service Work?
The process is designed to let you do the shopping while CIG Essentials handles pickup and shipping to the correctional facility.
1. Shop online
Place your order through Walmart or Sam’s Club using the designated Fishkill, New York pickup location.
Select products that are appropriate for your loved one's correctional facility and comply with applicable NYS DOCCS package requirements.
2. Use EBT/SNAP for eligible items
At checkout, use your EBT/SNAP benefits for qualifying food products if the retailer allows those items to be purchased with SNAP.
SNAP eligibility and payment processing are determined by Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the SNAP program. CIG Essentials does not determine which products qualify for EBT/SNAP.
3. Select pickup
Your order must be placed for pickup at the designated Walmart or Sam’s Club location in Fishkill, NY.
CIG Essentials does not accept Walmart or Sam’s Club orders shipped to our facility. The order is picked up by a designated staff member.
4. Send CIG Essentials your order information
After placing your pickup order, forward the Walmart or Sam’s Club order confirmation to CIG Essentials so we have the information needed to identify and retrieve your order.
You may also need to complete the retailer's check-in process when your order is ready for pickup.
5. CIG Essentials picks up your order
A designated CIG Essentials pickup person retrieves your completed order from the selected Fishkill location.
6. We prepare it for shipment
After pickup, CIG Essentials prepares the order for shipment to your loved one's New York State correctional facility.
Orders are generally shipped within 24–48 hours after pickup.
What Can You Purchase With EBT/SNAP?
EBT/SNAP can generally be used for eligible grocery products, but eligibility depends on the product and retailer.
Depending on availability and facility rules, this could include items such as shelf-stable foods, snacks, beverages, breakfast foods, meats and other qualifying grocery products.
Always check the retailer's EBT/SNAP eligibility indicator before completing your purchase.
Important Information About Out-of-Stock Items
Product availability is controlled by Walmart and Sam’s Club.
If an item becomes unavailable or is removed from your order, CIG Essentials is not responsible for the out-of-stock item or retailer refund. Any applicable refund is processed by Walmart or Sam’s Club according to the retailer's policies and your original payment method.
Cancellations and Order Changes
If you need to cancel an order, remove an item or make another change, you must make the change directly through your Walmart or Sam’s Club account before CIG Essentials picks up the order.
Once the order has been picked up, CIG Essentials cannot make changes to the retailer order.
Package Weight Is Important
Customers are responsible for making sure their loved one's package remains within applicable correctional-facility package limits.
Products purchased directly through Walmart or Sam’s Club are not included in the CIG Essentials shopping-cart package weight.
If you purchase items from both CIG Essentials and Walmart or Sam’s Club, you should keep track of the combined weight when determining whether the package complies with facility requirements.
Walmart/Sam’s Club Orders and CIG Essentials Orders
The Walmart+ & Sam’s Club Premier Pickup Service is a separate service from regular purchases made on CIG Essentials.
If you also purchase products directly from CIG Essentials, the orders may ship separately unless arrangements are made to ship the eligible items together.
How Much Does the Pickup Service Cost?
The CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam’s Club Premier Pickup Service is $99, shipping included.
This service allows families to shop for their own eligible products while CIG Essentials handles pickup, preparation and shipment to the correctional facility.
Helping NYS Families Shop With More Options
CIG Essentials serves families sending packages to loved ones in New York State correctional facilities.
Our Walmart+ & Sam’s Club Premier Pickup Service gives families another shopping option—including the ability to use EBT/SNAP for qualifying purchases directly through participating retailers—while CIG Essentials handles the pickup and shipping process.
More Help With NYS Inmate Packages
New to sending packages to a loved one? Read our guide on how to send a package to an inmate in New York State for information about the package process.
Not sure which foods to choose? Read what food you can send to an inmate in New York State for information about food choices, packaging and other important considerations.
CIG Essentials — Serving Families in NYS Correctional Facilities.
