What Can You Buy With EBT? Eligible Food List
Gain clarity on using your EBT card. Learn what benefits cover, from groceries to specific circumstances and cash options.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is a system that delivers government assistance benefits to eligible individuals and families. This electronic method replaced traditional paper food stamps, streamlining aid distribution. Primarily, EBT is used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often known as food stamps, which helps low-income households purchase groceries. The EBT card functions much like a debit card, allowing recipients to pay for approved items at authorized retail stores.
Eligible Purchases
SNAP benefits help households buy food for home consumption and preparation. This includes a wide array of items found in grocery stores. Eligible purchases include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, whether fresh, frozen, or canned. Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter are covered, along with non-dairy alternatives.
Staple foods such as breads, cereals, rice, and pasta are eligible. SNAP benefits also extend to snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, and seeds and plants that produce food. A general guideline is that if an item has a “Nutrition Facts” label and is intended for consumption, it is usually eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
Prohibited Purchases
While EBT covers many food items, certain products are prohibited from purchase with SNAP benefits. These include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Items hot at the point of sale, such as rotisserie chickens or prepared deli meals, cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, as the program focuses on foods for home preparation.
Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, and hygiene items are excluded. Vitamins, medicines, and any products bearing a “Supplement Facts” label are also not eligible. Some states have implemented restrictions on certain “junk foods” like soda, candy, and highly processed snacks, so specific rules can vary regionally.
Understanding Cash Benefits on EBT
Beyond SNAP, an EBT card can also distribute cash assistance benefits, such as those from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. These cash benefits are distinct from SNAP benefits and offer greater flexibility. Recipients can use these funds for a wider variety of necessities, including non-food items like household supplies, clothing, and transportation. Unlike SNAP benefits, cash assistance can also be withdrawn from ATMs or used to receive cash back at participating stores. This provides households with the means to cover essential living expenses beyond groceries, reflecting the broader purpose of cash assistance programs.
Restaurant Meals Program
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an exception to the rule against purchasing hot, prepared foods with SNAP benefits. This program allows specific eligible SNAP recipients to use their EBT cards at participating restaurants. Eligibility for RMP is limited to vulnerable populations, including the elderly (age 60 or older), individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness.
The RMP is not universally available, operating only in a limited number of states and specific localities. Restaurant participation is voluntary, meaning only authorized establishments can accept EBT for prepared meals under this program. If eligible, a recipient’s EBT card is coded to allow these purchases, and the card will be declined if used at a non-participating restaurant or by an ineligible individual.