Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT
Most people think of bread, milk, vegetables, and canned goods when they think of an EBT card or SNAP benefits. The EBT program lets you buy a lot more than just regular groceries, though. There are a lot of surprising things you can buy with EBT that many cardholders don’t know are completely legal by the USDA.
It’s a good idea to learn about other things you can buy with your EBT card if you want to get more out of your SNAP food benefits. This article will show you 10 real and surprising things you can buy with EBT, based on the most recent SNAP rules. We’ll also give you tips on how to get the most out of your benefits.
What is EBT and what can you usually buy with it?
The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system is used to send out SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. SNAP helps millions of people in the U.S. buy healthy food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes the rules that say what is “food for the household.”
You can usually use your EBT card to buy:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Meat, chicken, and fish
- Dairy items
- Grains, cereals, and bread
- Snacks and drinks that don’t have alcohol
- Plants and seeds that grow food for the family
You can’t buy things that aren’t food, like cleaning supplies, pet food, vitamins, alcohol, or hot meals that are ready to eat. But there are still a few things that fit within these basic rules that you might not expect.
1. Plants that make seeds and food
You can buy seeds and plants that grow food with EBT, which is one of the most surprising things you can do. The USDA says that any plant or seed that grows food for your family is okay.
That means you can buy tomato plants, pepper plants, herb starters, fruit trees, and vegetable seeds with your EBT benefits. The purpose of this rule is to help families become more self-sufficient and make their food dollars last longer. Even a small garden can give you fresh fruits and vegetables all year long, which makes your EBT benefits worth more.
2. Seafood that is still alive
You can use your EBT card to buy live seafood, like lobsters, crabs, fish, and shellfish, as long as they are safe for people to eat.
SNAP rules say that you can’t have live animals, but fish and shellfish are okay. You can use EBT to pay for live lobsters or clams at your grocery store or seafood market. Just keep in mind that live chickens and other animals can’t be used.
3. Packaged meals and cold deli foods
People know that you can’t use EBT to buy hot food that is already made, like hot pizza from the deli or rotisserie chicken. But deli foods that are cold are a different story.
If a meal is sold cold and meant to be eaten at home, it usually qualifies. That includes cold sandwiches, salads, wraps, and deli plates that are already packaged and ready to eat in grocery store coolers. You can usually buy food with SNAP benefits as long as it hasn’t been heated before you buy it.
4. K-Cups, Coffee, and Tea
You can’t use your EBT card to buy a hot cup of coffee at a café, but you can use it to buy coffee grounds, beans, instant coffee, and even K-cups to use at home.
The same goes for tea. You can use your EBT benefits on any tea that has a Nutrition Facts label instead of a Supplement Facts label. This includes loose leaf, tea bags, and bottled iced tea.
5. Ice and bottled water
It might surprise you, but you can buy bottled water, ice cubes, and even block ice with EBT.
A lot of people don’t know this, but the USDA sees ice and water as basic food needs. You can use your EBT card to buy bottled water for drinking or ice for cooling or storing food without any problems.
6. Drinks with energy (with nutrition facts)
Energy drinks are another surprising group. Some people can get it, but others can’t. The label is the most important difference.
You can buy an energy drink with EBT if it has a Nutrition Facts label on it. It is not eligible, though, if it has a Supplement Facts label on it.
So, yes, some well-known energy drinks, like some flavors of Monster or Red Bull, may be eligible, but it all depends on how the company labels them. Before you buy, always look at the label.
7. Drinks and bars that replace meals and protein
You can buy protein bars and shakes with EBT if they are labeled as food, just like energy drinks.
It’s okay if the product has “Nutrition Facts” on it. If it says “Supplement Facts,” it isn’t. This means that Clif Bars, RXBars, and some protein shakes can be used, but other things that are called “dietary supplements” cannot.
This rule makes it easier for SNAP recipients to get high-protein, portable foods that can take the place of a meal when needed.
8. Baskets of Food (Mostly)
A lot of people don’t know that you can buy gift baskets and holiday food hampers with EBT as long as most of the value comes from food.
A holiday basket with chocolates, cheese, crackers, and a small decorative mug is fine, but a basket with mostly candles or stuffed animals is not. If more than half of the basket’s value is food, the USDA says it can be used.
You can use your benefits to buy food gifts for holidays or other special events.
9. Meals and food kits for emergencies
You might be happy to know that you can sometimes buy long-term emergency food kits with EBT if you’re getting ready for an emergency.
If the product is marketed as food and has a Nutrition Facts label, brands like Mountain House or Augason Farms that sell freeze-dried meals or emergency food buckets can be eligible.
You can keep these things for years and use them when the power goes out, there is a natural disaster, or you have a tough month financially. This makes them a good way to make your benefits last longer.
10. Trees that bear fruit and plants that can be eaten
You can also use EBT to buy fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, like apple trees, blueberry bushes, or raspberry plants. This is an extension of the “gardening” rule.
The USDA’s plant rule says that anything that makes food that can be eaten is okay. Putting money into a few fruit trees can give your family fresh, healthy food for years to come. It’s also a great way to use your EBT benefits over time.
Things You Still Can’t Buy with EBT
To make things clear, here is a quick list of what EBT does not cover:
- Hot foods that are ready to eat right away
- Vape products, alcohol, or tobacco
- Medicines, vitamins, or supplements
- Hygiene products, paper goods, or cleaning supplies
- Things for pets or things that aren’t food
Fees for delivery or shipping for online orders
You can only use your EBT card to pay for food that is eligible when you shop online at places like Walmart, Amazon, or Instacart. You have to pay for any taxes, tips, or delivery fees with a different method.
How to Get the Most Out of Your EBT Card
- Read the labels carefully. Look for “Nutrition Facts,” not “Supplement Facts.”
- During the holidays, be smart about your shopping. Food-based gift baskets and other special items can help you save money on celebrations.
- Buy seeds and plants early in the season to save money all year long.
- Try cold deli foods. Packaged sandwiches and salads are a great way to eat food that is already made without breaking the rules.
- Use online filters. For example, Amazon and Walmart now mark items that can be bought with EBT, which makes shopping a lot easier.
Final Thoughts
Your EBT card is meant to help you feed your family, but that doesn’t mean you can only buy basic groceries. You can find new ways to eat well, plan ahead, and even grow your own food by learning about the surprising things you can buy with EBT.
The SNAP program is more flexible than most people think. It lets you buy things like live seafood, cold deli sandwiches, fruit trees, and coffee pods. The most important thing is to shop wisely, read labels, and always look for things that are good for your family.
Remember that you have more choices than you think the next time you use your EBT card.
