EBT covers food, not household goods or prepared meals

Your EBT card (also called a SNAP card) pays for groceries you cook at home. It does not pay for restaurant food, vitamins, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, or anything you eat prepared. The rule is straightforward: if it comes raw or uncooked and you will prepare it yourself, it is likely covered. If someone else prepared it or it is not food, it is not.

The items you can and cannot buy are set by federal law, not by individual stores. Every grocery store, farmer's market, and food co-op that takes EBT follows the same rules. Your card will decline at checkout if an item is not approved — the cashier cannot override it, and it is not their decision.

Key Takeaways

  • EBT covers raw meat, poultry, fish, fresh produce, bread, dairy, frozen vegetables, canned goods, and pantry staples like rice and beans.
  • EBT does not cover hot food, restaurant meals, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, or non-food items like soap and paper towels.
  • Seeds and plants you grow for food are covered, but ornamental plants and flowers are not.
  • Some stores offer online ordering with EBT, though the rules and availability vary by location and retailer.
  • If your card declines on an item, ask the cashier to remove it — they can tell you why it was rejected.

What you can buy: the full list

Fruits and vegetables — fresh, frozen, or canned, with or without added salt or sugar. This includes potatoes, onions, lettuce, apples, bananas, canned peaches, and frozen broccoli. Dried fruits like raisins count. Fresh herbs for cooking count. Coconut, nuts in the shell, and seeds for eating (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) are covered.

Meat, poultry, and fish — raw or frozen, any cut or type. Ground beef, chicken breasts, salmon fillets, canned tuna, and deli meat you slice yourself all work. Hot rotisserie chicken from the store does not; cold deli meat you take home does.

Dairy — milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, eggs, and cream. Plant-based milk like almond milk and oat milk count. Lactose-free milk counts. Cheese in any form (blocks, shredded, sliced) is covered.

Bread and grains — bread, rolls, tortillas, rice, pasta, oats, cereal, and flour. Bagels, English muffins, and pita bread count. when ready rice and when ready oatmeal count. Crackers and granola bars count if they are sold in the grocery aisle, not the prepared foods section.

Canned and packaged goods — beans, lentils, peanut butter, soups, stews, and prepared meals you heat at home. Canned vegetables, canned fruit, and canned beans all work. Boxed mac and cheese, frozen pizza, and frozen burritos count because you cook them at home.

Snacks and pantry items — coffee, tea, spices, cooking oil, sugar, salt, baking powder, and condiments. Chips, cookies, and candy are covered. Soda and juice are covered. Bottled water is covered.

Seeds and plants for food — seeds you plant to grow vegetables or herbs are covered. Fruit trees and vegetable plants (tomato seedlings, pepper plants) are covered. Ornamental plants, flowers, and houseplants are not.

What you cannot buy: items that will decline your card

Hot and prepared food — anything the store prepared or heated for you. This includes rotisserie chicken, deli salads, hot pizza by the slice, fried chicken, soup from the hot bar, and sandwiches made to order. Cold deli meat you take home is fine; hot deli meat is not.

Restaurant and fast food — you cannot use EBT at restaurants, food trucks, or fast-food chains, even if they serve basic items like burgers or salads.

Alcohol and tobacco — beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and vaping products are never covered.

Vitamins and medicine — over-the-counter vitamins, pain relievers, cold medicine, and prescription drugs are not covered, even if sold at the grocery store.

Non-food items — soap, shampoo, toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, laundry detergent, trash bags, and light bulbs are not covered. Cleaning supplies of any kind are not covered.

Hot beverages — hot coffee, hot tea, and hot chocolate from the store are not covered. Cold coffee and cold tea in bottles or cans are covered.

How online ordering works with EBT

Some large grocery chains now let you order online and pay with EBT, though the rules and which stores participate vary by state and region. Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and some regional chains offer this in certain areas. You typically order through their website or app, select EBT as your payment method, and pick up your groceries at the store or have them delivered.

The same rules explore online as in the store — your card will decline on non-covered items, and you will see which items are not approved before you check out. Not all stores offer online EBT payment yet, so check your local grocery store's website to see if it is available in your area.

What happens when your card declines at checkout

If you try to buy something and your card is declined, the cashier can tell you which item caused the problem. Ask them to remove it from your purchase, and the rest of your groceries will go through. You are not charged for the declined item, and there is no penalty or fee.

If you are unsure whether something is covered before you buy it, ask the cashier or a store employee. They handle EBT transactions every day and can tell you whether an item will be approved. Some stores also mark covered items with a label or note in their system.

Buying at farmer's markets and food co-ops

Many farmer's markets and food co-ops take EBT. The same rules explore — you can buy fresh produce, herbs, and other raw foods, but not prepared items or non-food goods. Some farmer's markets offer matching programs where your EBT dollars are matched with extra tokens to spend on produce, though these programs vary by location.

Not every farmer's market or co-op accepts EBT, so ask before you shop. If they do accept it, they will have a sign or tell you at the entrance. Some markets use a card reader at a booth; others use a portable reader the vendor carries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy hot food with EBT if I am going to take it home and eat it later?

No. The rule is based on whether the store prepared it, not when you eat it. Hot rotisserie chicken, hot pizza by the slice, and hot deli items are not covered even if you take them home. Cold prepared foods like deli salads and cold sandwiches you make yourself are covered.

Are energy drinks and sports drinks covered?

Yes. Any beverage sold in a bottle or can that is not alcohol is covered, including energy drinks, sports drinks, juice, soda, and bottled water. Hot beverages like hot coffee or hot tea from the store are not covered, but cold coffee and cold tea in bottles are.

Can I buy baby formula and baby food with EBT?

Yes. Infant formula, baby food in jars, and baby cereal are all covered. Diapers and wipes are not covered by SNAP, though some states have separate programs for diapers.

What if a store refuses to take my EBT card?

Any store that advertises it accepts EBT must accept it. If a store refuses, you can report it to your state's SNAP office. The store's name and location help. You can also shop at a different store — most grocery stores, many convenience stores, and farmer's markets accept EBT.

Can I use EBT to buy food for my pet?

No. Pet food, including dog food, cat food, and bird seed, is not covered. Only food for human consumption is covered by EBT.