California Lawsuit Filed Against Aldi Over SNAP Delivery Fees
A new class-action suit alleges that Aldi unfairly charges SNAP recipients for delivery and service fees on online orders.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Organic Food
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Two law firms have filed a class-action lawsuit in California Superior Court alleging that Aldi illegally charges delivery, expedited fulfillment, and convenience fees to SNAP benefit recipients. The legal challenge targets how these service costs impact low-income shoppers who use EBT cards for online grocery orders.
Why it matters
Federal policy prohibits EBT cards from covering delivery fees or non-SNAP eligible items, forcing low-income shoppers to provide a secondary credit or debit card for service charges. This lawsuit highlights concerns over whether such fee structures create barriers to food access for those relying on supplemental nutrition assistance.
The lawsuit, filed by James Hawkins APLC and The Markham Law Firm, alleges that Aldi imposes additional service fees on SNAP users for online delivery. While federal standards govern EBT payment exclusions, the exact scope of the alleged fee impacts is currently under investigation.
The players
Aldi
A global grocery chain that offers budget-friendly food and household products.
Instacart
A grocery technology company that facilitates order delivery and fulfillment for various retail chains.
Federal Trade Commission
The national agency responsible for protecting consumers and enforcing antitrust laws.
The details
Aldi began accepting SNAP payments for online delivery via Instacart in November 2020. The current store policy requires customers to pay for delivery, convenience, and fulfillment fees using a separate credit or debit card because EBT funds are strictly limited to eligible food items. The lawsuit claims these requirements disproportionately impact low-income households attempting to access grocery delivery services.
Timeline
November 2020: Aldi began accepting SNAP for online delivery orders.
2025: Instacart settled FTC charges for $60 million.
June 2026: DoorDash expanded SNAP availability to Dollar Tree.
October 2, 2026: Article publication date.
Health Landscape
The lawsuit follows a pattern set by the 2025 Instacart settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, which also addressed the transparency and legality of fees charged to online grocery shoppers. This development underscores the growing tension between expanding digital food access and existing federal regulations regarding SNAP payment restrictions.
If you utilize SNAP benefits for online grocery delivery, monitor your receipts to understand how your payment is allocated between eligible food and service fees. It is worth discussing with your doctor or a local social services coordinator if the cost of these fees impacts your ability to secure consistent access to fresh, healthy food.
The takeaway
The intersection of convenience services and government-funded food programs continues to face legal and regulatory scrutiny. If you have concerns about the fees applied to your grocery orders, keep detailed records of your transactions and report billing inconsistencies to your local consumer protection office.
Further reading
For context on how retailers manage nutrition program benefits for customers, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supermarket News.
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Should retailers be prohibited from charging delivery fees to customers using SNAP benefits?
