“We feel like it’s a great option to help ensure social distancing measures, help folks that qualify for our program have different options in grocery store delivery methods,” Hardin said. “It’s a great tool considering the current environment right now.”

States are preparing for an influx of SNAP recipients as the economy craters from massive closures across industries that have led to millions of layoffs.

Hardin said that Alabama typically receives 28,000 SNAP applications processed online per month. But over a 10-day period at the end of March — right when many people began applying for unemployment benefits — the department saw 24,000 applications.

Washington state, which was one of the first places to be hit by the pandemic, has seen a similar increase in signups, and officials expect participation in online ordering to rise as the outbreak continues, said Babs Roberts, director of the Community Services Division. Application rates for the state’s food assistance programs have soared about 80 percent in the last two weeks, she said.

“The program itself frankly from my point of view is probably long overdue,” Roberts said. “People have been using credit cards and debit cards for a number of years, and I love that this program brings that same access and opportunity for low-income individuals. It just feels very equitable to be able to do this.”

Members of Congress are trying to increase access to food delivery bought with food stamps during the pandemic beyond USDA’s online pilot program. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a bill that would encourage retailers to deliver groceries to SNAP participants by allowing for the EBT card to be swiped at their homes or when the order is picked up at the store.

It would also authorize public-private partnerships between USDA and authorized SNAP retailers to support grocery delivery and provide $500 million in funding through state agencies to reimburse retailers for grocery delivery fees for SNAP participants.