What You Can (and Can’t) Buy With SNAP Benefits (2025)

What You Can (and Can’t) Buy With SNAP Benefits (2025)

snap eligible and restricted items 2025 infographic with EBT card, grocery icons, soda ban and food eligibility list

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households buy groceries—but not everything is eligible. Based on USDA’s 2025 guidelines, here’s a clear breakdown of what you *can* and *can’t* buy with your EBT card.

✅ What You Can Buy

  • Fruits and vegetables – fresh, frozen, or canned
  • Meat, poultry, fish – fresh, frozen, or canned
  • Dairy products – including milk, cheese, and yogurt
  • Breads and cereals – including pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals
  • Snack foods & non‑alcoholic beverages – chips, soda, juice (with Nutrition Facts label)
  • Seeds and plants to grow food at home

❌ What You Can’t Buy with SNAP

  • Alcoholic drinks – beer, wine, liquor
  • Tobacco products – cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes
  • Vitamins, medicines, supplements – labeled with Supplement Facts
  • Live animals – except shellfish and store-slaughtered meat
  • Hot prepared foods – foods hot at point of sale
  • Non-food items – pet food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products

🛒 SNAP Online and Restrictions

  • Eligible foods can be bought online via USDA-approved retailers—*delivery fees must be paid separately*
  • Only items with Nutrition Facts labels are allowed; items with only Supplement Facts or fees cannot be covered by SNAP

🌱 State-Specific Waivers in 2025

  • Nebraska received USDA approval on May 19, 2025 to ban soda and energy drinks for SNAP recipients (effective Jan 1, 2026)—first state to implement such restrictions
  • Other states—Indiana, Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, West Virginia—have submitted or are exploring similar waivers

💡 Tips for Shopping Smart with SNAP

  • Look for Nutrition Facts labels to ensure eligibility.
  • Understand that online SNAP purchases *exclude* delivery/service fees.
  • Garden-friendly? Use benefits to buy seeds or starter plants.
  • Stay updated on your state’s waiver programs—restrictions may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I buy soda or snacks with SNAP?
    Yes—if the item has a Nutrition Facts label. Energy drinks with Supplement Facts are not eligible.
  2. Can I use SNAP to pay for delivery fees?
    No—eligible food only; fees must be covered separately.
  3. Why did Nebraska ban soda?
    Nebraska received a USDA waiver to promote healthier eating, effective Jan 1, 2026. Similar waivers are pending in other states.
  4. Are hot deli items eligible?
    No – foods heated at point of sale are ineligible under SNAP rules.
  5. Can I buy pet food or medicine?
    No – non-food items, meds, supplements, or pet food are not SNAP-eligible.

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