List of Eligible Food Stamp Items for 2023

(Last updated on 2/16/23)

If you are currently receiving SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps) and want to know what foods you can buy with your EBT card, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we are going to provide the list of eligible food stamp items you can buy with the EBT card.

The key point to remember is that the SNAP benefits program is aimed at providing nutritious foods to eligible low-income persons and families.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which manages the program has strict guidelines to make sure that the money is being spent to buy nutritious foods.

You will find below the list of foods you can buy with your EBT/Food Stamp Card below.

List of Eligible Food Stamp Items

As a general rule, you can use SNAP food stamps to buy any food item except food that is hot when sold, or food that is sold to be eaten in the store.

Here’s what you can buy with SNAP EBT:

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Meat and Poultry
• Fish and Shellfish
• Dairy Products
• Bread and Cereals
• Snack Items and Soda
• Water and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
• Seeds and Plants (grown for at-home consumption)

Examples of eligible SNAP EBT Food Items

For your reference, we’ve provided you with a list of specific food items that are eligible to be purchased with your SNAP EBT Card benefits.

Items that can be purchased with SNAP EBT include:

• Cookies
• Brownies
• Cupcakes
• Chips
• Snack Crackers
• Soft drinks and sodas
• Energy Drinks (with nutrition label)
• Live seafood – lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams
• Birthday cakes
• Bakery items – donuts, muffins, bagels
• Ice cream and Frozen Yogurt
• Popsicles and Frozen Treats
• Steak
• Gum and Mints
• Chicken Nuggets
• Bakery Items

While you can buy snacks such as cookies and chips, there are guidelines outlined by the USDA for items such as Junk Food, Energy Drinks, Live Animals and Birthday Cakes.

For more information, continue reading below.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 defines eligible food as any food or food product for home consumption. This includes seeds and plants that produce food that can be eaten at home.

Items not Eligible with Food Stamps

There are several items that you cannot purchase using your SNAP EBT Card food stamp benefits.

You CANNOT use SNAP EBT benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Prepared Foods fit for immediate consumption
• Hot foods
• Any nonfood items such as:
  • Pet foods
  • Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
  • Hygiene items or cosmetics

It is important that you pay close attention to this list, as violating the rules, or conspiring with another person to violate any of the rules constitutes Food Stamp Fraud.

Food stamps fraud could land you in big trouble with the government, including possible jail time.

To show how serious the government takes food stamps fraud, see the stories below:

• Raleigh police make arrest in alleged food stamps for tattoos fraud
• Shakopee Man Ordered to Pay Back Nearly $30,000 for Food Stamp Fraud

That’s the List of Eligible Food Stamp Items you can buy with your EBT Card. If you stay within these guidelines, you will be within the law and will not risk facing criminal charges.

Food Stamps EBT FAQs

Check out our list of answers to the most frequently asked questions about the SNAP EBT Card.

Can you buy energy drinks with food stamps?

Yes, your SNAP EBT Card benefits can be used to purchase energy drinks. However, they must contain a nutrition label to be eligible for purchase with your food stamp benefits.

Energy drinks that do not have a nutrition label are not eligible for purchase with SNAP EBT. That is because these items are considered supplements by the USDA. As a result, they are not eligible under the food stamp rules.

Can you buy cold rotisserie chicken with EBT?

Unfortunately, your SNAP EBT Card cannot be used to purchase a cold or hot rotisserie chicken. The USDA SNAP rules prohibit the spending of food stamp benefits on prepared and heated foods.

Can I buy deli food with SNAP EBT?

You cannot use your SNAP EBT Card to purchase any prepared or hot food that can be eaten on the store premise.

However, you can purchase deli meats (turkey, ham, salami, etc.) and cheeses, as well as cold, uncooked items from the deli with your Food Stamps Card.

Ask your deli counter for SNAP EBT eligible items before purchasing.

Can you buy a Birthday or Ice Cream cake with EBT?

Items such as birthday and other special occasion cakes are eligible for purchase with your food stamp benefits. However, for birthday cake, the value of any non-edible decorations should not exceed 50 percent of the purchase price of the cake.

If they do, then this item will no longer be eligible for purchase with your SNAP EBT Card.

Can you buy Vitamins, Supplements, and Power Bars with EBT?

The eligibility of vitamins and supplements, power bars, energy drinks, and other branded products must meet the following guidelines:

• Items that carry a nutrition facts label are eligible foods
• Items that carry a supplement facts label are classified by the FDA as supplements and are therefore NOT eligible

Can I purchase a pumpkin with my EBT Card?

Yes, your food stamps and EBT Card benefits can be used to purchase a pumpkin that is used for food consumption. However, you cannot use your food stamp benefits to purchase pumpkins and gourds that are solely used for ornamental decorations.

Can you buy Pet Food with SNAP EBT?

No, you cannot use your SNAP EBT benefits to purchase pet food or supplies including dog food, dog treats, cat food, cat litter, or toys.

This is directly from the USDA Website.

If you attempt to use your EBT card to buy pet or dog food, you will be violating the law – which could land you in jail.

List of Eligible Food Stamp Summary

We hope this post about the List of Eligible Food Stamp Items was helpful to you. If you have questions about your EBT Card or food stamps in general, please let us know in the comments section below.

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