We all know someone who loves to stretch their budget a little further. If you’re using SNAP and thought your EBT card was only good for groceries, you’re in for a surprise. There are not a lot, but a few EBT eligible items non food you can purchase. Ahead, we explain the unexpected things you really can buy with your EBT card.
1. EBT-Eligible Items (Non-Food): Things You Can Really Buy with EBT
While SNAP is mainly intended for purchasing food, there are a few non-food items you can buy with your EBT card, as long as they directly support food preparation or production.
Seeds, Plants, and Grow Kits
One of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT is seeds and edible plants. SNAP benefits can be used at any authorized retailer, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets, to buy seeds and plants that grow food.
Eligible examples:
- Vegetable seeds: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers
- Herb plants: parsley, basil, mint
For every $1 you spend on seeds and fertilizer, you can grow about $25 worth of fresh produce at home. So next time, don’t forget to add seeds and food-producing plants to your cart!
(Please note that you cannot use EBT for decorative plants, plant pots, or non-edible plants.)
Grow kits that produce food are also covered under SNAP. These are usually packaged sets that include soil pods, seeds, and containers or equipment to help grow vegetables, herbs, or fruits at home. Examples of eligible grow kits:
- Herb garden starter kits
- Mushroom growing kits
Edible plants, seeds, and grow kits are actually one of the cool things to buy on Amazon or Walmart with SNAP benefits.
Gift Baskets
You can buy some gift baskets with SNAP benefits, but there are strict rules. If over 50% of the total basket value comes from food items, it’s EBT-eligible.
If the basket contains alcohol, tobacco, non-food items, or if food is less than half the value, it’s not allowed.
(Around holidays or special occasions, always check what’s inside those gift baskets – you might find they’re actually surprising things you can buy with food stamps.)
Hunting and Fishing Gear
In extremely remote areas of Alaska where grocery stores are hard to reach, households that receive SNAP benefits are allowed to use their EBT cards to buy specific hunting and fishing equipment, as long as it’s used to gather food for the household.
Eligible items may include:
- Fishing rods, reels, lines, and hooks
- Nets, knives, or other basic tools for harvesting food
Recreational gear or items used for sport hunting or fishing are not allowed.
Friendly Reminder: Although some non-food items seem like they should be covered, especially if they’re used in cooking, eating, or food storage, they are not eligible under the SNAP rule, namely:
- Disposable utensils, napkins, and paper towels
- Baking foil, plastic wrap, storage bags
- Coffee filters (You can buy ground coffee with EBT, but the filters used to brew it are not covered.)
- Toys or kitchen tools (spatulas, measuring cups, blenders)
- Ice packs or coolers (Unless they contain edible items, they’re not considered SNAP-eligible)
To qualify for the SNAP purchase, an item must either be food or directly grow food (like seeds or food-producing plants).
>>> Also read: Can You Buy Flowers with EBT? What You Should Know
2. Common Items You Can Buy with EBT
SNAP benefits are strictly intended for purchasing food items that can be prepared and eaten at home. What you can buy with your EBT card:
- Fruits and vegetables (Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables)
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, etc.)
- Breads and cereals (pasta, rice, etc.)
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Cooking ingredients and condiments (oil, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, spices, herbs, etc.)
3. Common Items You CANNOT Buy with SNAP EBT
There are still plenty of products you’ll need to leave out of your EBT cart. Ahead, you’ll find a quick guide to the most common non-eligible items, the ones that may be in your regular grocery run but can’t be paid for with SNAP.
- Everyday essentials that don’t qualify:
- Personal care and hygiene items (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc)
- ousehold supplies (paper towels, cleaning sprays, etc)
- Cosmetics, skincare, and other grooming products.
- Sorry, pets aren’t covered:
- Pet food
- Treats
- Ttoys, etc. (If it’s not for human consumption, it’s not EBT-eligible)
- Supplements and medicine? Not quite: Here’s the general rule: if it has a “Supplement Facts” label, it’s not allowed. That includes vitamins, dietary supplements, protein powders marked as supplements, over-the-counter medications (cold medicine or pain relievers)
- Hot food and restaurant meals: Ready-to-eat hot foods are not covered by SNAP EBT. You’ll also want to skip restaurant takeout, unless you qualify for a state’s Restaurant Meals Program (RMP)
- Alcohol and tobacco are never eligible: Beer, wine, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.
When in doubt, check the label or ask the cashier; most stores will let you know what’s EBT-approved before you swipe.
4. Other Programs May Help with Non-Food Needs for Low-Income Households
SNAP is great for helping with groceries, but what about everything else? If you’re looking for help with phone service, internet, or everyday essentials, there are a few popular programs.
Need help beyond food?
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provides monthly cash assistance that can be used for rent, clothing, transportation, utilities, or other everyday needs. These funds are often loaded onto the same EBT card as your SNAP benefits and can be used much more broadly, including at ATMs or for non-food purchases. Each state runs its own version of the program.
Need a phone or internet connection?
Lifeline offers free or discounted phone and internet service for eligible low-income households. Depending on your provider and state, you could receive a discounted or free smartphone, tablet, or even smartwatch.
For example, through AirTalk Wireless – a nationwide trusted provider, you can qualify for Lifeline with SNAP/EBT and receive these as extended perks:
- iPhone (iPhone 7, iPhone 11, iPhone XR, etc.)
- Samsung Galaxy (A42 5G, S10e, etc.)
- Motorola (one 5G ACE, moto g 5G 2023, and more)
- Free to unlimited data
- International calling to over 200 countries and territories, etc.
If you’re already on SNAP, you may automatically qualify here, too. It’s a simple way to stay connected without adding to your bills.
>>> Read more: The Complete Guide to AirTalk Wireless Application Online (Status, Login, and Free Phones)
Struggling with utility bills?
Many states and local agencies offer utility bill assistance to help cover the cost of heating, electricity, and water, especially during extreme weather.
One of the most widely available programs is LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), which provides help with heating and cooling bills. Check with your local human services office or utility provider to learn what’s available in your area.
FAQs
Can I buy protein powder with EBT?
Generally, you can’t buy protein powder with EBT if it has a “Supplement Facts” label – it’s classified as a supplement and not eligible under SNAP rules. However, protein powders with a “Nutrition Facts” label are considered food and can be purchased with EBT.
Is bottled water covered by SNAP?
Yes, you can purchase bottled water with SNAP EBT.
Does EBT buy chips?
You can buy chips with EBT. SNAP benefits allow recipients to purchase most snack foods, including chips and similar items.
However, starting in 2026, states like Iowa will restrict sweetened beverages and some junk food from SNAP under approved federal waivers, so eligibility may change depending on your state.
>>> Read more: Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT at Walmart
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered whether your EBT card can go a little further, now you know, it can. From seeds that grow into fresh vegetables to food-producing grow kits and even hunting gear in remote areas. And beyond that, there are other government programs you may qualify for through SNAP, like Lifeline. It’s all about helping you meet essential needs.