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Eligible foods

SNAP Eligible Foods

SNAP EBT usually covers grocery foods meant for the household to prepare and eat at home. It usually does not cover alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared food, supplements, pet food, cleaning supplies, or household products.

Use this page as a quick item lookup. For the complete rule overview and state-specific notes, start with what you can buy with EBT.

Independent information tool. Not a government website.

Common Allowed And Not Allowed Items

Usually allowed

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and grains
  • Snack foods and many non-alcoholic drinks
  • Seeds and plants that grow food

Usually not allowed

  • Alcohol and tobacco
  • Hot food sold ready to eat
  • Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
  • Pet food
  • Cleaning, paper, hygiene, and household products
  • Delivery fees, tips, and most non-food charges

SNAP Eligibility By Item

Energy drinks

Usually allowed when the package has a Nutrition Facts label. Products with a Supplement Facts label are not SNAP-eligible.

Protein powder

Check the label. A product with Nutrition Facts may be eligible food; one with Supplement Facts is treated as a supplement and is not eligible.

Cold deli food

Usually allowed when it is cold at the point of sale and intended to be taken home. Hot deli food is usually not allowed.

Rotisserie chicken

A hot rotisserie chicken is not usually eligible. A cold, packaged chicken intended for home consumption may be eligible.

Cakes and bakery food

The edible bakery item is usually allowed. Non-food decorations or separate service charges are not SNAP-eligible.

Seeds and food-producing plants

Allowed when the seeds or plants will grow food for the household, such as vegetable seeds, tomato plants, or herb plants.

Bottled water

Allowed. Bottled water is an eligible non-alcoholic grocery item.

Bags of ice

Allowed. USDA includes ice for home consumption among eligible food items.

Delivery fees and tips

Not allowed. SNAP can pay for eligible grocery items in an online order, but not delivery fees, service fees, or tips.

Vitamins and supplements

Not allowed. Products labeled with Supplement Facts are not treated as eligible food.

Pet food

Not allowed. SNAP food benefits are for food for household members, not food for pets.

Sources

Sources reviewed: July 25, 2026