The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is widely accepted for food purchases at most grocery stores and some gas stations, convenience stores, and farmer’s markets. If you receive SNAP benefits, you can use an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card, to make your purchases. Show
Eligible food items include staples like meat, vegetables, bread, and cereal, as well as snack foods and frozen meals. Not all food items are eligible for SNAP purchases; we list what you can and can’t buy with your EBT card below. Note: See our related research for information on the EBT deposit time in your state. What Can You Buy With EBT/SNAP?Under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services guidelines, you can use SNAP benefits to buy the following:[1]
As a general rule, if an item has a Nutrition Information or Nutrition Facts label (rather than a Supplemental Facts label), it is likely eligible under the SNAP program. Below, we list the categories and specific items/brands that you can buy with EBT cards/SNAP and where you can buy them. Note that you can also use your EBT card to buy these items in different states while traveling (as previously reported). Baby Food/FormulaNote: The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is handled separately from SNAP benefits. While WIC benefits restrict the types of food that you can purchase,[2] there are no brand restrictions for baby food or formula purchases with EBT.[3]
Baked Goods
Bread and Cereals
Candy
CoffeeNote: Hot, ready-to-drink coffee is not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP.[8]
Cooking Ingredients/SpicesNote: Some stores may restrict which types of ingredients are eligible for EBT/SNAP payments. Typically, ingredients that are only consumed after being incorporated into foods with other ingredients are eligible.[8] You can ask store associates to confirm before purchasing an ingredient.
Dairy Products (Including Ice Cream)
Energy DrinksNote: As a rule, you can buy energy drinks with EBT cards/SNAP if they have a Nutrition Facts label. Energy drinks with Supplement Facts labels aren’t eligible to purchase with EBT/SNAP.[9]
Frozen Entrees/Frozen Dinners/Uncooked Pizza
Fruits and Vegetables
Lunch Meat/Deli FoodNote: Hot, prepared foods to be eaten at a store — such as in-store café services — aren’t eligible for EBT/SNAP.
Meats, Fish, Seafood, and PoultryNote: Live animals, such as chickens, are not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP.[1]
Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Alcohol MixersNote: Alcoholic beverages are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. However, some alcohol-related and non-alcoholic drinks are eligible.[8]
Nutrition and Dietary SupplementsNote: This category includes items such as protein powders and meal replacement shakes. As a rule, items with Nutrition Information labels are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while items with Supplement Information labels are not eligible. You can ask store associates to confirm before purchasing if you are uncertain.[8]
Seeds and Plants
Soft Drinks (Soda/Pop/Coke)
MiscellaneousIn addition to the main categories, several other types of food items are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These include:
You can also buy these individual specialty food items with EBT/SNAP:[8]
Find a list of these eligible and ineligible items and more in the Generic Product Determinations spreadsheet from the USDA SNAP Eligible Food Items page. Finally, in certain rural areas of Alaska, you can purchase hunting and fishing items with EBT cards/SNAP, including bows and arrows, harpoons, knives, fishing lines, hooks, nets, and other necessary equipment. Learn more about this exception on the Alaska Division of Public Assistance EBT page. What Can’t You Buy with EBT/SNAP?The USDA states that SNAP benefits can’t be used to purchase:[8]
Any prepared or hot foods that are to be eaten on-premises, such as at restaurants, fast food places, and in-store cafes, are not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP. The only exception to this rule is the Restaurant Meals Program, which provides prepared food for the elderly, disabled, and homeless in limited areas from participating fast food restaurants.[12] The Restaurant Meals Program is only available in select states. You can find out more about which states and restaurants participate in this program in our research on fast food places that take EBT/SNAP. Additionally, some particular items in eligible categories are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. As a rule, anything that doesn’t have a Nutrition Information or Nutrition Facts label isn’t considered food and isn’t eligible for purchase with EBT cards/SNAP. Ineligible items include, but are not limited to:[8]
More InformationFor more about EBT/SNAP, we explain whether or not an unborn child affects SNAP eligibility and whether your benefits will roll over at the end of the month. We also list the grocery stores and gas stations that accept EBT. What can I not buy with EBT?Households CANNOT use SNAP to buy:. Prepared items (hot foods and food that can be eaten in the store). Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco.. Non-food items:. Vitamins and medicines.. Personal hygiene items, such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics.. What can be bought with SNAP?Any food for the household, such as:. Fruits and vegetables;. Meat, poultry, and fish;. Dairy products;. Breads and cereals;. Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and.. Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.. What can you buy with EBT cash?You may use your benefits to buy: • Breads and cereals. Fruits and vegetables. Cheese, milk, and dairy products. Meats, fish, poultry, and eggs.
Can you buy protein powder with EBT?Only protein powders sold as food can be purchased with food stamps. Protein powders sold as supplements are not EBT eligible.
|