The fact is, SNAP benefits make most everyday groceries accessible, and for the most part, you can buy a wide range of foods with your EBT card without issue. For now, the choices are surprisingly broad, and there’s plenty you can get today. Can you buy candy with EBT? Sure.
1. How SNAP Works
SNAP is the largest nutrition assistance program in the country. It plays a critical role in reducing poverty.
The program provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. Its primary goal is to help ensure that all residents, regardless of their income, can afford nutritious food essential for their health and well-being.
SNAP benefits are provided on an EBT card. They can be used to buy most food and food products for human consumption.
>>> When does EBT reload in your area?
2. What Can You Buy with Your EBT Card? Can You Buy Candy with EBT?
Most food and food products for human consumption can be purchased with EBT. These include:
- Fruits and vegetables – All fresh, frozen, and canned produce such as apples, bananas, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and mixed frozen vegetables.
- Meat, poultry, and fish – Beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, as well as items like ground beef, whole chickens, salmon fillets, or canned tuna, etc.
- Dairy products – Milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and other dairy-based items.
- Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta – Packaged bread, bagels, tortillas, breakfast cereals, oatmeal, rice, noodles, spaghetti, etc.
- Staple pantry items – Cooking oils, flour, sugar, spices, and condiments that are used to prepare meals at home, etc.
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages – Chips, pretzels, popcorn, cookies, snack cakes, ice cream, soda, fruit juice, bottled water, etc.
For now, you can purchase snacks and beverages, including candy, chips, cookies, snack foods, soda, and soft drinks, with your EBT card.
Besides, special items are SNAP-eligible:
- Seeds and food-producing plants (e.g., tomato seeds, pepper plants)
- Energy drinks (only if labeled with Nutrition Facts, not “Supplement Facts”)
- Birthday cakes (the edible portion qualifies; non-edible decorations may need to be paid separately)
- Other surprising things you can buy with EBT
3. Exceptions: When Can’t You Buy Candy? (State-Specific Rules)
Although federal law permits SNAP recipients to buy candy, soda, and other snack foods with their benefits, the rules are beginning to shift at the state level.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted several states permission to experiment with waivers that limit or ban certain “junk food” items.
These waivers reflect a growing movement among policymakers to address concerns about diet-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, by restricting access to sugary drinks, candy, and other highly processed foods within the SNAP program.
List of states with new SNAP restrictions:
| State | Restricted Items | Effective Date |
| Arkansas | Soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with
less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy | July 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | Soft drinks | March 1, 2026 |
| Florida | Soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts | January 1, 2026 |
| Idaho | Soda and candy | January 1, 2026 |
| Indiana | Soft drinks and candy | January 1, 2026 |
| Iowa | All taxable food items under Iowa law as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue (including candy) | January 1, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy | January 15, 2026 |
| Nebraska | Soda, soft drinks, or energy drinks | January 1, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | Candy, soft drinks | January 1, 2026 |
| Texas | Sweetened drinks and candy | April 1, 2026 |
| Utah | Soft drinks | January 1, 2026 |
| West Virginia | Soda | January 1, 2026 |
Note:
These changes are a result of state-specific waivers and are not yet in effect. The rules for what can be purchased with SNAP benefits remain unchanged until their respective effective dates in 2026.
As of now, you can still use your SNAP benefits to purchase candy, soda, and other similar items in all states.
In 2026, candy will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
4. What Can You Not Buy with EBT?
Certain items are not allowed to be purchased with SNAP benefits across the country.
These include:
Non-food items
EBT is only for food. You cannot use your benefits for:
- Household supplies (cleaning products, paper goods, soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
- Pet food
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Vitamins, medicines, or supplements (anything with a Supplement Facts label)
Alcohol and tobacco
EBT cannot be used to purchase:
- Beer, wine, or liquor
- Cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products
Hot and prepared foods
You cannot buy hot foods and foods that are ready-to-eat at the point of sale (unless you live in a state with the Restaurant Meals Program for the eligible SNAP recipients).
>>> Read more: EBT-Eligible Items (Non-Food): Things You Can Buy with EBT
5. Get Internet & Free Phone Support with SNAP
In addition to helping with food purchases, receiving SNAP benefits can also make you eligible for other assistance programs, including internet support programs. One of the most popular programs is Lifeline.
The goal of the Lifeline program is to ensure that everyone can afford essential connectivity services, which are important for staying connected with family and friends.
One of the easiest and most common ways to qualify for the Lifeline program is by receiving benefits from other government assistance programs.
SNAP recipients are often automatically eligible for Lifeline benefits, which include phone or internet discounts and a free smartphone from participating providers.
If you receive SNAP benefits, contact participating telecommunications providers in the Lifeline program like AirTalk Wireless to learn more and apply for support.
Conclusion
For now, SNAP recipients can still use their EBT cards to purchase candy and soda alongside basic staples like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread. These items remain fully eligible under federal law.
It’s only in the years ahead, as states begin implementing new restrictions starting in 2026, that some of these “treats” may no longer be eligible.
The impact of these changes will vary depending on where you live. In most states, SNAP recipients will still be able to buy snacks as usual. Can you buy candy with EBT? Just next year, in certain states, the answer will shift to no.