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USDA SNAP Training Guide for Retailers
The business of retailing is a very important one. People rely on grocery stores to provide them with access to all kinds of important goods. For example, they look to grocery stores in order to ensure they have lots of varied food options for every single meal. A grocery store will typically offer lots of fruit and vegetables to pick from as well as other pantry staples such pasta, milk and bread. Grocery stores also stock items like cleaning products as well as alcohol and tobacco.
Part of the process of providing for the community is accepting the many types of payments that are found in many areas. One type of payment is what is known as SNAP. This is a program designed by the federal government and aimed at making sure that families in the United States can put food their table even if they don’t have enough money. The program is about feeding people directly. Retailers can choose to participate in this massive federal program. They can agree to allow recipients to make purchases at their store. However, those who choose to be part of this program should keep in mind there are many rules that must be in place in order to accept such payments.
Training Employees
One of the single most important thing any retailer needs to do is train their employees in the proper use of SNAP payments. A retailer should make sure that all new employees understand how the system works. This means providing lots of training before the employee steps foot on the work floor. An employer should offer highly detailed instruction about how payments work as well as how they are processed each day. The employer should also provide any employee with access to written material on the job site once they have completed the initial training session. This material should be in writing and easily accessible during the course of the employee’s shift. An employer should also put up signs on the work floor. These signs should indicate that all laws, regulations and rules will be enforced when it comes to SNAP payments.
Once the employees are on the job, the employer should also take additional steps in regards to SNAP procedures. Any employee may have questions that need to be answered about the details of a particular procedure. For example, someone might try to use SNAP payments to buy items that are not allowed under the terms of the program. The employee may be unsure if such items are allowed. Having access to a skilled supervisor who knows all the details about the rules governing SNAP payments is a vitally important modern task for all those who work in the retail business.
The Benefits of Training Program
There are many benefits to having a program of this type in place. SNAP use is carefully monitored. Federal officials want to make sure all payments are used as intended. They will probably visit your store and check how you handle this matter in person. Federal officials want to make sure that all stores are following the guidelines and not selling items not allowed. They also want to make sure that important regulations such as not accepting cash for food stamps are observed at all times in any store. An inspector may also be looking for issues such as the fact that the store owner is not selling items like tobacco to minors in food stamps at any point. They also want to make sure that that the store owner isn’t allowing people to buy things that are not covered under the terms of use like paper products.
Well trained employees are a valuable asset. When employees are trained in the use of food stamps, they are administering the program as intended. A store owner who helps employees understand the ins and outs of SNAP payments also helps themselves by making sure their employees are following the rules set down by the program administrators. That means that even if the manager is not on site, they can be assured that their employees are still following the rules to the letter. They can trust their store is being run properly in accordance with all necessary procedures.
In some instances, a store owner may run into minor issues when it comes to SNAP payments. For example, someone on site may have colluded with another person to agree to exchange their food stamps for cash. This may have been done without permission from the owner or knowledge by the employee. If this issue is noted by an inspector, it can create all sorts of problems for the store owner. However, a store owner who has good record keeping and has done their best to train employees can demonstrate they were in full compliance with all necessary laws governing SNAP use. They can point to the many procedures they have put in place to ensure this does not happen. That can serve as the basis of a defense should the store owner be accused of any wrong doing.
If a store owner is accused of making mistakes when accepting SNAP payments in any way, having procedures in place to train employees can serve as the basis of a defense against such charges. If a store owner is facing problems that may result in the possibility of SNAP disqualification, it is best to speak with a legal expert. A lawyer can help them bring out records to help avoid this kind of potentially serious penalty. The lawyer can also help them with any other issues in regards to SNAP related issues. They, along with accurate record keeping, are vitally important for all modern grocers.