Can You Buy Meal Kits With an EBT Card?

You can purchase meal kits using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which delivers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. EBT helps eligible households buy food for home preparation. The ability to use EBT for meal kits depends on the kit type and purchase location.

EBT Eligibility for Food Items

EBT benefits cover most food items for preparation and consumption at home. This includes staple foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, and cereals.

Certain items are not eligible for purchase with EBT benefits. These exclusions include hot foods or prepared foods ready for immediate consumption at the point of sale. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines, supplements, and non-food household items like cleaning supplies or pet food are also prohibited.

Eligible Meal Kit Types

Only specific meal kit types are covered by EBT eligibility rules. Meal kits containing raw ingredients that require cooking and preparation at home are generally eligible. These are considered groceries, aligning with the program’s goal of providing food for home consumption.

However, pre-cooked, hot, or minimally prepared meal kits (like just reheating) are typically not eligible for EBT. This is because they fall under the “hot food” or “prepared food” exclusions. For instance, a kit with pre-made, hot enchiladas would likely be ineligible, while a kit with raw chicken, tortillas, and sauce for making enchiladas at home would be eligible.

Where to Purchase Meal Kits with EBT

EBT benefits can be used for eligible meal kits at various retail locations and online platforms. Many traditional grocery stores, supermarkets, and superstores that sell ingredient-based meal kits typically accept EBT. These stores often have a wide selection of eligible food items, including those packaged as meal kits.

Online retailers and grocery delivery services have increasingly enabled EBT payments for eligible food items. Platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart allow customers to use their EBT cards for online grocery purchases, including qualifying meal kits. Some local farmers markets and co-ops may also accept EBT for eligible food items, including ingredient-based kits if offered. It is always advisable to verify EBT acceptance directly with the specific retailer or online service before attempting a purchase.

Using EBT for Meal Kit Purchases

The process for using an EBT card to purchase eligible meal kits is similar to any other SNAP-eligible grocery transaction. For in-store purchases, customers swipe their EBT card at the point-of-sale (POS) terminal and enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN). The system then deducts the amount of the eligible food purchase from the EBT account. If the total purchase includes non-eligible items, these must be paid for using an alternative payment method.

For online purchases, customers typically select EBT as a payment option during checkout. They will then be prompted to enter their EBT card details and PIN to complete the transaction. Online orders may also require a secondary payment method, such as a debit or credit card, to cover costs not eligible for EBT, including delivery fees or tips.