What Can You Buy With EBT?
EBT stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer, and it is a way for the government to provide food assistance to people who qualify. EBT is administered through a federal program called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program helps people who have low incomes and cannot afford to buy enough food to sustain themselves and their families. With EBT, they are able to get a debit card that they can use like a credit or debit card to purchase food items that they need.
So, what can you buy with EBT?
Food Items
In general, EBT can be used to purchase food items from approved stores and farmers’ markets. This includes items like bread, cereal, fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also use EBT to purchase seeds or plants in order to grow your own food, as well as food items from restaurants in certain circumstances.
Non-Food Items
In some states, you may also be able to use your EBT card to purchase non-food items, such as diapers and baby formula. In these cases, however, the items must be purchased directly from approved stores and must be necessary to the health and welfare of the family.
Drugs and Alcohol
EBT cannot be used to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, or any illegal drugs. If a store is found to be selling these items with EBT payments, they can be banned from the program. This is to ensure that the government’s resources are being used appropriately.
Gift Cards
Most states do not allow EBT cardholders to use their cards to purchase gift cards, as there is no way to track where the money is being spent. However, there are a few states that allow this. If you are in one of these states, you can use your EBT card to purchase a limited amount of gift cards from approved stores.
Overall, EBT can be used to purchase food items from approved stores and restaurant meals, as well as some non-food items and limited amounts of gift cards, depending on the state. It is important to remember that it cannot be used to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, or other items that are not necessary for the health and welfare of the family.