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15+ Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT on Amazon

Nina Campbell

While most people use EBT for groceries, many don’t realize just how far those benefits can actually go, especially online. If you’re shopping with EBT on Amazon, in fact, there are tons of surprising and practical items you can get delivered right to your door, all eligible under SNAP guidelines. 

Here are surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon, and some of them might just change the way you shop.

Did you know you can get free phone with EBT?

1. 15+ Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT on Amazon 

The EBT card can be used to buy most food and grocery items intended for home consumption, such as: 

You should know all the options your benefits unlock. If you shop on Amazon, items are clearly labeled as EBT-eligible. 

When you take the time to dig deeper, you’ll find there are some truly surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon. Let’s explore over 15 of them, and you might be surprised what’s actually eligible. 

1.1. Seasonings & Sauces 

Seasonings and sauces are one of the grocery items that you can buy with EBT on Amazon. Not only can you grab hot sauce, yellow mustard, and taco seasoning, but also more elevated picks like garlic aioli, steak marinades, and butter-flavored syrup. Or you can stock up on pantry spices like chili powder, lemon pepper, or minced garlic to take your cooking up a notch. 

As long as the product is intended for human consumption and not a supplement or household item, it generally meets SNAP requirements.  

1.2. Baking & Cake Decorating 

While EBT doesn’t cover cookware or utensils, it does cover many edible ingredients. You can buy flour, sugar, cocoa powder, yeast, and more creative items like cake icing, frosting tubs, and even edible glitter.

Food-based decorating items are eligible because they’re meant to be consumed like any other grocery item.

There are a lot of surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon.

1.3. Energy Drinks 

Need a little pick-me-up that fits your EBT budget? You might be surprised to learn that many energy drinks are actually EBT-eligible. From zero-sugar options to juice-based blends and even electrolyte-enhanced varieties, there’s a wide range to choose from. 

Just keep in mind, if the item has a “Nutrition Facts” label (not a “Supplement Facts” label), it’s generally considered food and can be purchased with your EBT card. 

1.4. Gift Baskets 

These are among the surprising things you can buy with food stamps. A gift basket or food box is SNAP-eligible only if at least 50% of the value of the contents is made up of food items intended for human consumption.  

EBT-eligible gift baskets available on Amazon often include shelf-stable snacks such as cookies, crackers, popcorn, and nuts. You can find themed baskets for almost any occasion, including Easter and Christmas.

1.5. Tea & Coffee 

This includes a wide range of bagged teas, from everyday black or green tea to herbal blends like chamomile, mint, and ginger. You’ll also find fruit-flavored options and calming blends like lemon green tea commonly covered. 

Coffee is EBT-eligible too, including single-serve pods. Whether you prefer Colombian roasts or Morning Blend, many variety packs qualify. 

1.6. Bottled Water 

Plain bottled water is SNAP-eligible and can be purchased on Amazon with EBT. You can shop a wide variety of bottled water types on Amazon.

1.7. Snacks & Candy 

Snacking doesn’t have to be off-limits when shopping with SNAP benefits. Amazon carries a wide variety of EBT-eligible snacks, including granola bars, popcorn, organic fruit snacks, and gluten-free chips. Candy is included too; you can add chocolate bars, gummy candies, and more to your cart.

1.8. Protein Powder 

Protein powder might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of SNAP benefits, but many protein powder options are EBT-eligible on Amazon, as long as they’re labeled and sold as food products. 

You can find plant-based blends made with pea protein, sprouted greens, or superfoods  (often organic, dairy-free, and rich in fiber or probiotics). Some work as full meal replacements. As long as they feature a “Nutrition Facts” label, they typically qualify under SNAP guidelines.

Protein powder is one of the surprising things you can buy with food stamps.

1.9. Plants & Seeds 

A lot of people will love that you can actually buy edible plants, seeds, and grow kits with EBT on Amazon. You can get live food plants like basil, parsley, and cilantro, as well as seeds for vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, and pumpkins. Grow kits that clearly produce food are also covered.  

Just keep in mind that SNAP doesn’t cover decorative plants, gardening tools, or plant pots without edible plants.

1.10. Special Diet Foods 

On Amazon, many keto, vegan, gluten-free, or diabetic-friendly foods are EBT-eligible, as long as they’re considered conventional grocery items.

1.11. Cooking Oils & Sprays

Even kitchen essentials like cooking oils and sprays are EBT-eligible, and Amazon offers a wide variety. You’ll find everyday staples like vegetable, canola, and olive oil, along with specialty options like avocado and sesame oil. Cooking sprays are also covered, as long as they’re food-grade and carry a “Nutrition Facts” label.

1.12. Shelf-Stable Meal Kits

Shelf-stable meal kits are a smart grocery budget hack, and they’re SNAP-eligible, too. These pantry-ready options, like pasta-based meals, come together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients.  

1.13. Canned Meats (Spam)

If you’re new EBT users, it’s hard for you to believe that canned meats, like Spam, are EBT-eligible, but they are, and they’re incredibly practical.

What can you buy with EBT: canned meat is also in the list.

1.14. Seafood

What makes this surprising for some shoppers is the idea that seafood is a “specialty” or expensive, but SNAP benefits apply to it just like any other grocery item, as long as it’s not hot, ready-to-eat, or sold with non-food extras. 

Yes, you can buy seafood on Amazon using your EBT card. From frozen shrimp and fish fillets to shelf-stable items like canned tuna and salmon, a wide range of seafood falls under the “food for home consumption” category. 

1.15. Instant Noodles and Cup Soups

They might seem like “prepared food” at first glance, but most are actually EBT-eligible. They’re widely available on Amazon, and those budget-friendly noodle packs and cup soups are usually fair game when shopping online. 

(Just keep in mind, if a store sells them already prepared with hot water added, they’re considered “hot food”, and that’s not covered under SNAP rules.) 

1.16. Spreads

Spreads are fully EBT-eligible, and Amazon carries a wide range of them that you can add to your SNAP-friendly grocery order. Peanut butter, jelly, almond butter, hazelnut spread, and more. Most typical spreads are SNAP-eligible, making them an easy and enjoyable part of your EBT-eligible grocery list. 

>>> Check more: Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT at Walmart 

2. What You Can’t Buy with EBT on Amazon 

There are several main categories of items you won’t be able to purchase with EBT on Amazon. Amazon has gone to great lengths to include thousands of EBT-eligible groceries, but the restrictions tied to federal guidelines still apply. 

The first thing to know is that anything labeled as a supplement is automatically off the table. If the item carries a “Supplement Facts” label, it’s treated as a vitamin or dietary supplement, meaning it’s SNAP-ineligible. 

What catches many people off guard, though, is the exclusion of pet food and treats. These will all require another form of payment.  

Another common category is alcohol and tobacco. None of these fall under the scope of eligible food purchases.  

There’s also an entire group of household and cleaning supplies that fall outside of SNAP coverage. For example, items such as soap, toilet paper, and shampoo. While you can find these products easily on Amazon, they’re simply not considered purchases under SNAP rules. 

3. Popular EBT-Eligible Brands on Amazon 

While there’s no shortage of name-brand options, not everyone realizes just how many of their favorites are included. At the very least, there are some popular brands in EBT-approved grocery sections on Amazon: 

(The issue is not finding brands but determining which products are SNAP eligible. Being a known brand doesn’t automatically make every product from that brand SNAP-eligible. Even within a trusted brand, only certain types of items qualify.)

If you shop on Amazon, items are clearly labeled as EBT-eligible.

4. How to Use an EBT Card on Amazon 

Customers with a valid EBT card can shop for eligible items on Amazon. SNAP EBT is accepted nationwide. To start using your EBT card on Amazon: 

You can use SNAP funds to buy eligible food items from Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market. Check for the “SNAP EBT eligible” label next to the product name.

SNAP funds cannot be used to cover shipping or service fees. If your order doesn’t meet the free shipping minimum, you’ll need to pay the fee with another payment method.

>>> Read more: What Is EBT Cash? What You Can Use It For

5. Enjoy Free Phone & Internet Services with EBT 

SNAP recipients may be automatically eligible for the Lifeline program, a federal benefit that helps low-income households get free or discounted phone and internet services.

You can also get a free phone if you’re a SNAP participant applying for Lifeline services through a provider.

Here’s how to apply with AirTalk Wireless, one of the top providers offering free devices through this program:

Step 1: Go to the AirTalk Wireless website. Right on the homepage, you’ll be prompted to enter your ZIP code.

Click to apply for free phone with EBT

Step 2: Choose a Lifeline plan. Each plan includes free or discounted data and often a free device. If you already have a device, you can choose the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) option, which includes extra data instead of a device. 

Step 3: Select your free device.

Using EBT or SNAP qualification, you can qualify for Lifeline and get free phone or tablet through AirTalk Wireless.

Step 4: You may be asked to upload a document like your SNAP approval letter. (Some states allow automatic verification, so uploading documents may not always be required.) 

Step 5: Submit your application. Your application will be reviewed by AirTalk Wireless and verified by the National Verifier or your state’s Lifeline office. If approved, your free device will be shipped to your address within a few business days. 

What you will get when applying for Lifeline via AirTalk Wireless: 

>>> Read more: Free iPhone With EBT: Eligibility And Application Guide [Latest]

Conclusion  

That’s not to say you shouldn’t explore all your options when it comes to stretching your EBT dollars. Amazon can be an incredibly convenient and powerful tool. But just like with any resource, it’s vital to shop with intention and understand what’s truly covered. 

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