North Dakota Health and Human Services will launch a new webinar series Thursday for retailers that accept SNAP benefits. Mary Steurer of the North Dakota Monitor reported on the new series in an in-depth piece Tuesday morning.
The training focuses on the state’s SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver, which takes effect September 1st.Under the waiver, SNAP benefits will no longer be allowed for certain sweetened drinks, energy drinks and candy at North Dakota retailers.
The webinars are meant to help stores understand which items will be allowed, which will be restricted, and how the rules should be handled at checkout. State officials say sessions will cover eligible and restricted categories, implementation timelines, operational updates, retailer guidance and questions from businesses.
The webinars are scheduled twice a month through October 27th.
The change follows approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA approved North Dakota’s waiver in December for a two-year demonstration project.
Retailers will be responsible for updating point-of-sale systems so restricted items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.
The state says SNAP customers still can buy restricted items with another form of payment.
Find the full story online at NorthDakotaMonitor.com.
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