What Foods Are EBT-Eligible?
SNAP benefits cover most food intended for home preparation and consumption. Here's what you can and cannot buy.
Foods You CAN Buy With EBT
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs)
- Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and other grains
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
- Baby formula and baby food
Foods You CANNOT Buy With EBT
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
- Hot foods prepared for immediate consumption (e.g., rotisserie chicken, deli hot bar)
- Non-food items (cleaning supplies, paper products, pet food, cosmetics)
- Food eaten in the store
Gray Areas
Energy drinks: Eligible if they list "Nutrition Facts" on the label (not "Supplement Facts").
Protein bars and meal replacement drinks: Follow the same rule — "Nutrition Facts" = eligible.
Cold deli items: Generally eligible as long as they're not hot. A cold sandwich from the deli qualifies; a heated one does not.
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Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, "What Can SNAP Buy?" Last reviewed July 2026.