What Can You Buy With SNAP Benefits? 2026 Eligible & Ineligible Items

Last Updated: October 24, 2025

Can you buy soda with SNAP? What about rotisserie chicken or energy drinks? If you’re one of 42 million Americans using SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps), knowing exactly what your EBT card covers can save you embarrassment at checkout and help you stretch every dollar.

Quick Answer: SNAP covers fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, snacks, and seeds for growing food. It does NOT cover alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, vitamins, pet food, or household items.

Want to know your potential benefit? Use our SNAP Benefit Calculator to estimate your monthly amount based on income and household size.

Quick Facts About SNAP Purchases:

• SNAP covers staple foods like bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products
• You can buy seeds and plants that grow food for your household
• Hot prepared foods and restaurant meals are not allowed in most states
• Over 260,000 retailers nationwide accept SNAP benefits
• Non-food items like soap, paper products, and pet food cannot be purchased with SNAP

SNAP benefits load monthly onto an EBT card, usable like a debit card at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and even online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

If you’re not yet enrolled, you can apply for SNAP in your state through your state’s online portal or local assistance office. For now, here’s exactly what’s covered — and what’s not — under USDA’s official SNAP rules so you can shop confidently and stay within the program’s limits.

What Foods Can You Buy with SNAP?

The golden rule: If it’s food for human consumption at home, it’s likely okay. USDA defines eligible items as any food or food product for home use, emphasizing nutrition without mandating “healthy” only; snacks count too, as long as they’re not hot or alcoholic.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, apples, broccoli, canned tomatoes, frozen berries. Juice counts if 100% fruit/veg.
• Meat, poultry, and fish: Beef, chicken, pork, seafood like tuna or salmon (canned or fresh). Eggs and plant-based proteins like tofu qualify.
• Dairy products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, including non-dairy alternatives like soy milk if labeled as such.
• Breads and cereals: Loaves, tortillas, rice, pasta, oatmeal, cereal bars.
• Other foods: Snack items like chips, cookies, or ice cream; non-alcoholic beverages like soda or energy drinks; baking supplies like flour or sugar; condiments such as ketchup or mayo.
• Seeds and plants: Tomato seeds or herb plants that produce food for eating.

These categories ensure flexibility for cultural diets or allergies, think gluten-free bread or halal meats. For infants, baby food and formula are fully eligible, a lifesaver for new parents.

No quantity limits; buy as much as your balance allows, but benefits don’t roll over month-to-month.

From USDA guidelines;

What You Cannot Buy with SNAP Benefits

Understanding restrictions helps you avoid confusion at checkout. SNAP benefits cannot be used for certain items.

Prohibited Items

Hot and Prepared Foods: Foods meant to be eaten immediately are not covered. This includes deli hot foods, rotisserie chicken, and hot pizza. Cold prepared foods like sandwiches may be eligible.

Alcohol and Tobacco: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, cigars, and vaping products cannot be purchased with SNAP.

Non-Food Items: Cleaning supplies, paper products, toiletries, cosmetics, and pet food are excluded. You need cash or another payment method for these items.

Vitamins and Medicine: Dietary supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs are not covered by SNAP.

Live Animals: You cannot buy live animals except shellfish, fish from a tank, and animals slaughtered before pick-up.

From USDA; exceptions rare, like Alaska’s hunting gear allowance.

Special SNAP Purchase Rules

Some states offer expanded purchase options through special programs. Knowing these rules helps you maximize your benefits.

Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)

Certain states allow elderly, disabled, or homeless individuals to buy prepared meals at approved restaurants. States with active RMP include Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Availability may vary by county or city within these states. Check with your local SNAP office to see if you qualify.

Farmers Markets and CSA Programs

Many farmers markets accept SNAP benefits. Some markets even offer matching programs that double your SNAP dollars for fresh produce. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions can also be purchased with SNAP in some areas.

Online SNAP Purchases

You can use SNAP benefits to buy groceries online from approved retailers. SNAP online purchasing is currently available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Stores like Amazon, Walmart, and many regional chains accept EBT online. Delivery fees cannot be paid with SNAP, but you can use your benefits for the food items.

According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP online purchasing is available in all 50 states and continues to expand.

How to Use Your SNAP EBT Card

Using your benefits correctly ensures smooth transactions at stores. Follow these simple steps every time you shop.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Shop at any store that displays the “SNAP Accepted” or “EBT” sign
2. Separate SNAP-eligible items from non-eligible items at checkout
3. Swipe your EBT card and enter your PIN when prompted
4. Your SNAP balance covers eligible items automatically
5. Pay for remaining items with cash, debit, or credit card

Your receipt shows your remaining SNAP balance. Check it after each purchase to track your monthly benefits. Learn more about SNAP application requirements here.

Monthly SNAP Benefit Amounts by Household Size

These amounts reflect the maximum benefits for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) for the 48 contiguous states and District of Columbia. Your actual benefit depends on your household income, expenses, and size. The USDA updates benefit amounts annually based on cost-of-living adjustments.

Tips for Shopping with SNAP Benefits

Making smart choices stretches your monthly benefits further. Use these strategies to get the most value from your SNAP dollars.

Plan Your Meals: Create a weekly meal plan before shopping. This prevents impulse purchases and reduces food waste.

Compare Prices: Check unit prices to find the best deals. Store brands often cost less than name brands for similar quality.

Buy in Bulk: Purchase larger quantities of items you use often. Rice, pasta, beans, and frozen vegetables store well.

Shop Sales: Look for weekly circulars and digital coupons. Many stores offer loyalty programs that provide extra savings.

Choose Nutritious Options: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These provide better nutrition per dollar.

FAQs

Conclusion

SNAP benefits provide essential food assistance to help you feed your household. You can purchase most grocery items including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, breads, and cereals. The program also covers seeds for gardens and allows online shopping at approved retailers. Remember that hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, and non-food items are not eligible.

Understanding these rules helps you make confident choices at the grocery store. Plan your meals, compare prices, and focus on nutritious options to maximize your monthly benefits. If you have questions about specific items, ask the cashier or contact your local SNAP office.

Ready to apply or check your eligibility? Visit the SNAP application portal to get started today. You can also call your state SNAP hotline for personalized assistance with your benefits.

Sources:

• USDA Food and Nutrition Service – Eligible Food Items
• USDA SNAP Retailer Locator
• SNAP Online Purchasing