Food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can be spent on a wide variety of food items in the U.S. However, there are some items that cannot be purchased with food stamps, such as alcohol, tobacco, pet food, vitamins, medicine, and household supplies. Ready-to-eat meals can be purchased with food stamps if they are sold in the grocery store, but not if they are purchased in a restaurant. Food stamps are intended to help families purchase nutritious food, and these restrictions help ensure that the program is used for its intended purpose. If you are unsure whether a particular food item can be purchased with food stamps, you can check with the USDA’s website or contact your local SNAP office.
What Items Are Not Eligible for Purchase With Food Stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families in the United States. While SNAP covers a wide range of food items, there are certain food and non-food items that are excluded from purchase with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, the method used to distribute food stamp benefits. The following are some common items that cannot be bought with food stamps:
Non-Food Items
- Alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and spirits
- Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Vitamins, supplements, and medications
- Pet food and supplies
- Household items like cleaning supplies, paper goods, and toiletries
- Personal care items, such as cosmetics, perfumes, and toiletries
- Gift certificates and restaurant meals
- Lottery tickets and gambling paraphernalia
In addition to these items, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase prepared foods that are eaten in the store, such as hot meals, salads, and deli sandwiches. This restriction is in place to ensure that food stamps are used to purchase groceries and other food items that can be consumed at home.
It’s important to remember that the rules surrounding what can and cannot be bought with food stamps may vary from state to state. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to check with your local SNAP office or visit the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service website.
| Food Item | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | ✔ | ✖ |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | ✔ | ✖ |
| Dairy products | ✔ | ✖ |
| Bread and cereal | ✔ | ✖ |
| Snacks and candy | ✖ | ✔ |
| Soda and other sugary drinks | ✖ | ✔ |
Household Supplies
Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are a government assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a variety of food items, but there are some restrictions on what can be bought with the benefits.
The following is a list of household supplies that cannot be purchased with food stamps:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins and supplements
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
- Personal care items
- Household appliances
- Furniture
- Clothing
In addition to the items listed above, food stamps cannot be used to purchase food that is prepared or served in a restaurant or other food establishment. This includes takeout food, fast food, and meals delivered to your home.
It is important to note that the rules for what can and cannot be purchased with food stamps may vary from state to state. For more information on what you can buy with food stamps in your state, please contact your local SNAP office.
| SNAP Eligible Foods | SNAP Non-Eligible Foods |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Alcohol |
| Meat, fish, and poultry | Tobacco products |
| Dairy products | Vitamins and supplements |
| Bread and cereal | Pet food |
| Other foods | Cleaning supplies |
Foods Not Covered by Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase nutritious food. However, certain items are excluded from purchase using food stamps.
Alcohol and Tobacco
- Alcoholic Beverages: Food stamps cannot be used to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage, including beer, wine, and spirits.
- Tobacco Products: Food stamps cannot be used to purchase tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco.
Other Excluded Items
In addition to alcohol and tobacco, the following items cannot be purchased with food stamps:
- Non-food items, such as pet food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items
- Vitamins and supplements
- Live animals
- Prepared foods from restaurants or fast food chains
- Gift cards
- Lottery tickets
Table of Restricted Items
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Alcohol and Tobacco | Beer, wine, spirits, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco |
| Non-food Items | Pet food, cleaning supplies, personal care items |
| Vitamins and Supplements | Multivitamins, herbal supplements, weight loss supplements |
| Live Animals | Pets, livestock, animals for food production |
| Prepared Foods | Restaurant meals, fast food meals, takeout food |
| Gift Cards | Gift cards for any store or restaurant |
| Lottery Tickets | Lottery tickets, scratch-off tickets, gambling tickets |
Restaurant Meals
Generally, restaurant meals are not eligible for purchase with Food Stamps. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Restaurant meals purchased with a Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) card.
- Restaurant meals provided to elderly or disabled individuals in a congregate setting, such as a senior center or group home.
- Restaurant meals purchased in Alaska, where the program is administered by the state and restaurant meals are an eligible purchase.
It’s important to note that the availability of these exceptions may vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. If you have questions about whether you can use your Food Stamps benefits to purchase restaurant meals, you can contact your local Food Stamps office for more information.
| Food Item | Reason |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Alcohol is a beverage and not considered a food item. |
| Tobacco products | Tobacco products are not considered a food item. |
| Lottery tickets | Lottery tickets are not considered a food item. |
| Pet food | Pet food is not considered a food item for human consumption. |
| Vitamins and supplements | Vitamins and supplements are not considered a food item. |
| Live animals | Live animals are not considered a food item. |
| Prepared foods that are not intended for immediate consumption | These foods are considered “grocery items” and are not eligible for purchase with Food Stamps. |
Hey folks, thanks for taking the time to read up on what foods you can’t buy with food stamps. I appreciate you hanging out with me, and I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any more questions or just want to chat about what’s for dinner tonight, feel free to drop me a line. And be sure to check back soon for even more food-related fun. Until next time, keep on cookin’!