Looking for inmate package vendors that accept EBT or food stamps? With the CIG Essentials Walmart+ & Sam's Club Premier Pickup Service, you purchase groceries from the retailer and pay CIG Essentials separately for pickup and shipment. CIG Essentials does not process SNAP/EBT payments.
Walmart and Sam's Club offer SNAP payment options for qualifying purchases. That does not by itself establish that benefits may be used to purchase food for someone in prison: SNAP household-use rules apply. Confirm the proposed purchase with your SNAP agency before using benefits.
This guide explains who handles payment, which fees need separate payment, and how to arrange a retailer pickup order for shipment to a New York State correctional facility.
Quick links: Pickup steps · Food eligibility · Service and shipping fees · Common questions
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. Choose an appropriate payment method
Pay the retailer directly. If you intend to use SNAP, first confirm with your SNAP agency that the purchase is permitted for your household and circumstances, then check the retailer's eligibility indicators and payment options. Use another accepted payment method when SNAP is not applicable.
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 does SNAP eligibility mean for your food order?
SNAP is for eligible food for the SNAP household. A retailer's “SNAP eligible” label addresses the product; it does not establish that a purchase for an incarcerated loved one is permitted. Ask your SNAP agency about your circumstances before using benefits for this purpose.
Walmart provides SNAP shopping and eligibility instructions. Sam's Club explains its available payment options in its SNAP EBT shopping information.
Food must also meet correctional-facility requirements. Review what food you can send to an inmate in New York State before selecting products.
Can food stamps pay for pickup, service, or shipping fees?
No. SNAP benefits cannot pay delivery, service, or convenience fees. Use a separate accepted payment method for the CIG Essentials service charge and any other ineligible costs. See the USDA SNAP online purchasing guidance.
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.
Common questions about EBT, food stamps, and inmate packages
Does CIG Essentials accept food stamps at checkout?
CIG Essentials does not process SNAP/EBT payments. Retailer grocery purchases and the CIG Essentials pickup service are separate transactions.
Are food stamps and SNAP the same thing?
“Food stamps” is a common name for SNAP food benefits, which are accessed through an EBT card. This guide refers to SNAP food benefits, rather than other benefits that may also use an EBT card.
Does a SNAP-eligible product automatically meet NYS DOCCS rules?
No. Check food ingredients, packaging, preparation requirements, and facility eligibility separately. A product's payment eligibility does not establish facility acceptance.
Where can I browse CIG Essentials food products?
Shop NYS inmate food packages for purchases made directly from CIG Essentials. These purchases are separate from retailer pickup orders, and browsing this collection does not mean SNAP is accepted at CIG Essentials checkout.
Before placing a pickup order
- Confirm the receiving facility, recipient details, and package eligibility.
- Check food and packaging requirements and coordinate package weight with other family members.
- Confirm the designated Fishkill pickup location and pickup time with CIG Essentials.
- Check payment eligibility and have a separate payment method for service fees.
- Send the retailer order confirmation to CIG Essentials and monitor retailer changes or substitutions.
For broader planning help, read our New York State inmate packages guide and step-by-step package sending guide.
Confirm current service instructions before ordering: email Support@cigessentials.com.
