The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is super helpful for a lot of families. It helps people buy groceries by giving them money on an EBT card. But even though SNAP is great, it doesn’t cover everything. There are definitely some things that you can’t buy with SNAP benefits. Let’s explore some of these items and understand why SNAP has these rules.
Hot Foods and Prepared Meals
One of the biggest restrictions on SNAP is that you can’t use it to buy hot foods or prepared meals at most restaurants. This is because SNAP is designed to help people purchase ingredients to cook at home, rather than paying for ready-to-eat meals.
Think about it like this: the idea is to stretch your food budget as far as possible. Buying ingredients lets you cook more meals and get more food for your money. Restaurants, especially fast-food places, tend to be more expensive per meal. So, SNAP focuses on helping people cook at home.
There are some exceptions, though. Some states have programs allowing SNAP recipients to use their benefits at certain restaurants, like if you’re elderly or disabled and can’t easily cook. Also, stores that have hot food available might still let you pay using SNAP for items that are not considered “hot,” such as cold deli items. It’s really important to check what the store policies are, and what your local SNAP guidelines permit.
Here are some examples of items that would not be covered:
- A slice of pizza from a convenience store.
- A hot dog at a baseball game.
- A cooked rotisserie chicken.
Non-Food Items
Household Supplies
SNAP is specifically for food, and this means that it doesn’t cover many other things that you might need around the house. This includes things like cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other non-food household items.
This is a pretty straightforward rule. SNAP wants to help people with the most important thing, which is getting enough to eat. These non-food items, while essential, are handled through other assistance programs or personal finances. So, your EBT card won’t let you buy laundry detergent, dish soap, or paper towels.
Imagine you’re making a grocery list. Would you put toilet paper on it? Probably! But unfortunately, SNAP can’t help with that.
Here’s a short list of items that SNAP doesn’t cover:
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Detergent
- Soap
Pet Food
Another thing that SNAP doesn’t cover is pet food. While pets are definitely part of the family, SNAP benefits are strictly for human food. The program is focused on providing food for people who might have trouble affording it.
This is because SNAP is funded by the government and meant to help people directly. While many people depend on their pets, providing food for them isn’t what SNAP is set up to do. It’s about making sure people can feed themselves and their families.
Many animal shelters offer pet food assistance programs. You can also search online or ask at your local animal shelter for help in this area.
Here is a table showing the SNAP rule in action:
| Item | SNAP Coverage |
|---|---|
| Dog food | No |
| Cat food | No |
| Your food | Yes |
Alcohol and Tobacco Products
Alcoholic Beverages
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and liquor. This is a standard restriction, designed to ensure that the funds are used solely for nutritional purposes.
It’s important to be aware of this rule to avoid accidentally violating SNAP regulations. Trying to use your EBT card to buy alcohol could cause your benefits to be suspended. You will not find any alcoholic beverages allowed when shopping with SNAP.
Many stores selling alcohol have clear signs and policies, so it’s usually easy to know what is acceptable. However, it’s always wise to double-check if you’re unsure.
Here’s a short list of items that SNAP does not cover:
- Beer
- Wine
- Liquor
Tobacco Products
Similar to alcohol, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and any other tobacco-related items. The intent is to support nutritional needs, not to subsidize non-essential and potentially harmful products.
Tobacco products are not considered essential items for basic nutritional needs. The government also wants to encourage healthy behaviors and discourage smoking. This policy helps to support public health objectives.
Just like with alcohol, store policies and checkout systems are usually designed to prevent the purchase of tobacco with SNAP. It’s a straightforward rule.
Here is a short list of items that SNAP does not cover:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Chewing Tobacco
- Vaping products
Vitamins and Supplements
Vitamins and Supplements
SNAP generally does not cover vitamins, supplements, and medicines, except in certain specific circumstances. This rule is in place because SNAP is designed to help people purchase the essential foods necessary for survival, and to keep them healthy.
Although vitamins and supplements can be beneficial, they aren’t considered essential for basic nutritional needs. Medications can be purchased, but these would likely need to be done through a different program, such as medical assistance.
It is important to speak to your doctor regarding how vitamins and supplements may improve your overall health. Your doctor is your best source of medical advice on whether you need to include them in your daily intake of nutrition.
Here is a table showing the SNAP rule in action:
| Item | SNAP Coverage |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C tablets | Generally No |
| Prescription medications | Typically No |
| Healthy food items | Yes |
Non-Food Items Purchased from SNAP-Approved Stores
Ineligible Items at the Grocery Store
Even at stores that accept SNAP, there are still many items that you cannot purchase with your EBT card. Remember that SNAP is meant for food items, and even in a grocery store, many things aren’t considered food.
It is a good idea to know which items are eligible at grocery stores and pharmacies that participate in the SNAP program. You don’t want any surprises when you are ready to check out.
Items like makeup, office supplies, and other general goods won’t be covered. You’ll need to pay for those things some other way. This can take some planning to get groceries and these other goods.
Here are some examples of items that would not be covered:
- Makeup
- Office supplies
- Clothes
As you can see, there are several things SNAP doesn’t cover. Remembering these things can help you and your family avoid problems at the checkout and budget your food money effectively.