Your EBT card is a vital tool for purchasing healthy food for your family, but stepping up to the checkout counter can sometimes feel uncertain. Will a certain item be covered? Are the rules different in this state? Understanding the EBT restrictions is the key to using your benefits confidently and ensuring your shopping trips are smooth and stress-free.
This guide will provide a detailed explanation of the universal rules that apply to all EBT users, clarify how restrictions might differ by state, and answer your most common questions about the dos and don’ts of using your card in 2025.
1. What are EBT restrictions?
EBT restrictions are a set of rules established by the federal government that define exactly what can and cannot be purchased using food assistance benefits.
These rules are part of the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are designed to ensure that taxpayer-funded aid is used for its intended purpose: helping low-income families buy staple foods and groceries to prepare nutritious meals at home.
The goal of these regulations is to support the health and well-being of families while also supporting the nation’s agricultural economy.
Recently, official news stated that starting in 2026, several states will enforce USDA-approved Food Restriction Waivers that limit the purchase of “junk food.”
For more information, you can check the article below.
>> Read more: SNAP Restrictions – Everything You Need to Know About Limits & Eligibility
2. The Universal EBT Restrictions (Federal SNAP Rules)
For the most part, the rules for what you can buy with your SNAP food benefits are the same no matter where you live in the United States. These are federal guidelines that every state must follow, creating a consistent standard across the country.
What You Can Always Buy with EBT
Your EBT card is designed to cover the cost of most grocery items, often referred to as “staple foods.” This includes a wide variety of products that form the basis of a healthy diet:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Meat, poultry, and fish (including fresh cuts, packaged items, and frozen products)
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter
- Breads and cereals (including loaves of bread, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals)
- Snack foods like chips, ice cream, and cookies
- Non-alcoholic beverages such as juice, soda, and bottled water
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat, like tomato plants or vegetable seeds
>>> Read more: Can You Buy Fast Food With EBT? Check Eligible Restaurants
What You Can Never Buy with EBT (Ineligible Items)
There is a strict list of items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits under any circumstances. These EBT restrictions are enforced nationwide and include:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco: These items are explicitly prohibited.
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements: If an item has a “Supplement Facts” label rather than a “Nutrition Facts” label, it is considered a supplement and cannot be purchased with SNAP.
- Live animals: Exceptions include shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before you pick them up from the store.
- Hot foods: Any food that is sold hot and ready for immediate consumption is not eligible.
- Pet foods: Food for dogs, cats, or other animals is not covered.
- Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies: Items like toilet paper, soap, and laundry detergent are not eligible.
- Cosmetics and hygiene items: This includes products like makeup, shampoo, and deodorant.
The “Hot Food” Rule Explained
One of the most common points of confusion is the rule against buying hot, prepared foods. You cannot use your EBT card to buy items like a rotisserie chicken or soup from a hot bar. This is because SNAP is designed for purchasing food to be prepared at home.
An exception is the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), a state option that allows elderly, disabled, or homeless recipients to buy hot meals. However, only a handful of states participate in this program.
3. State-Specific EBT Restrictions: Do Rules Change by State?
This is a common question. Many people ask, “What states have EBT restrictions?” While it seems complex, the answer is simpler than you might think for food benefits.
Restrictions on Where You Can Use Your EBT Card
There are federal rules that restrict where you can use your card.
You cannot use your EBT card (for either cash or food benefits) at liquor stores, casinos, gambling establishments, or adult entertainment venues. These place-based restrictions are universal.
Which States Have Unique EBT Restrictions?
When it comes to buying food with SNAP, the rules are federally mandated and do not change from state to state. The list of eligible and ineligible food items is the same in California as it is in Texas.
So, if you ask “what states have restrictions on EBT?” for food purchases, the answer is that all of them follow the same federal rules.
State-specific restrictions typically only apply to the cash benefit portion of an EBT card (from programs like TANF), not the SNAP food portion.
Using Your EBT Card in a Different State
Your EBT card is interoperable, meaning you can use it in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The same federal purchasing rules apply wherever you shop.
4. Answering Your Top Questions on EBT Rules
Can I get a free phone if I’m on SNAP?
Yes! Your participation in SNAP automatically makes you eligible for the federal Lifeline program, which provides free phone service to low-income households.
Providers like AirTalk Wireless work with the Lifeline program to offer a comprehensive package at no cost to you, including:
- A FREE 4G/5G Smartphone
- FREE Unlimited Talk & Text
- FREE Monthly High-Speed Data
You can apply easily using proof of your participation in SNAP.
When do EBT restrictions start after I get my card?
Many new recipients wonder, “When does EBT restrictions start?” The rules and restrictions are effective immediately. From your very first purchase, your EBT card can only be used for eligible items.
What happens if I try to buy a restricted item?
If you try to purchase a non-eligible item, the transaction for that item will simply be declined by the card reader. You would then need to pay for it using another form of payment.
Can I use EBT for online purchases?
Yes. The USDA’s SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot allows recipients in most states to use their EBT cards to buy groceries online from authorized retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Aldi for pickup or delivery. You can check the official USDA website to see which retailers participate in your state.
5. Final Words
Understanding EBT restrictions is straightforward once you know the basics: SNAP benefits are for unprepared food items, while non-food items and hot meals are not allowed. These rules are consistent across the country, making it easy to shop with confidence wherever you are.
By following these guidelines and taking advantage of other programs you qualify for, like the Lifeline service offered through providers such as AirTalk Wireless, you can maximize the support available to you and your family.