Food Stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help many families and individuals afford groceries and put food on the table. But even though SNAP is super helpful, it doesn’t cover everything you might need or want to eat. This essay will explain what kinds of things aren’t covered by Food Stamps, so you can better understand how the program works.
Non-Food Items
Okay, the big one! SNAP is designed to help people buy food. So, anything that isn’t considered food is generally not covered. This might seem obvious, but it’s the foundation of what SNAP is all about.
Think about it like this: SNAP provides money specifically for your grocery bill. You can’t use those funds at a department store to buy new clothes, even though you *need* clothes. The same goes for things like cleaning supplies.
Some things may seem tricky. Like, what about things you eat but aren’t *food* per se? What about health supplements or items that have health claims? These sorts of items are usually not covered because they aren’t strictly considered food.
Food Stamps are specifically for purchasing food items, like fresh produce, dairy, and meat.
Prepared Foods
Prepared Meals and Hot Foods
Another major restriction is on prepared foods. While you can buy ingredients to make your own meals, you can’t always use your SNAP benefits to buy meals that are ready-to-eat. This includes hot foods sold in grocery stores and restaurants.
Think about going to a fast-food restaurant, like McDonald’s or Burger King. You generally cannot use your SNAP benefits to pay for your meal there. Even if you go to a grocery store, most hot foods that are ready to eat, such as rotisserie chickens, are off limits for food stamps.
However, there can be exceptions, like if a grocery store has a restaurant section approved by SNAP. You’ll have to check with the grocery store itself, or the SNAP guidelines in your specific state.
To put it another way, if the food is prepared and ready to eat, most of the time, you’ll need cash or a different payment method.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Illegal Substances
Forbidden Purchases
This one is pretty straightforward. Food Stamps are for food only, and alcohol, tobacco, and any other illegal substances are not considered food. This rule is in place for a few reasons, but mostly to ensure that the funds are used for nutrition.
There’s no gray area here. You can’t buy beer, wine, cigarettes, or anything that’s against the law. The government wants to make sure people are using SNAP for healthy food purchases and to avoid any misuse of funds.
If you try to buy these items with your SNAP card, the transaction will be declined, and you could face penalties, so don’t even think about it!
Here is a list of prohibited items, for clarity:
- Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor)
- Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco)
- Any illegal substances (drugs, etc.)
Non-Food Household Items
Things for the Home
As mentioned earlier, SNAP benefits are designed to help people buy food. This means they’re not intended for any other household needs. This is similar to the “Non-Food Items” section, but it can be good to get a specific focus here.
This includes things like paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, cleaning supplies, pet food, and toiletries. While these items are essential for a household, they are not considered “food” under SNAP guidelines.
You’ll need to budget for these items separately, so you’ll need to use your own money for those purchases. That’s just a necessary component of keeping your household stocked with all of the needs of your life.
Here is a table of what is typically not allowed:
| Item Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Household Supplies | Cleaning products, paper towels, trash bags |
| Personal Care Items | Shampoo, toothpaste, soap |
| Pet Supplies | Pet food, treats |
Vitamins, Supplements, and Medicines
Items Not Always Covered
While it may seem like vitamins and supplements should be included in the “food” category, they often aren’t. The main intention of SNAP is to help people buy groceries for nutritious food. Vitamins are often seen as “extras” or “medicines” rather than a necessity.
The same rule applies to over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions. SNAP is for food, not medicine. This is important to remember so you don’t experience issues when you go to pay with your SNAP card.
Some stores may have certain exceptions, but generally, it’s best to assume that these items won’t be covered. Check the SNAP guidelines for your particular state to learn of any exceptions.
Here are some typical examples:
- Vitamins and supplements
- Cold medicine
- Pain relievers
- Prescription medications
Items That Can’t Be Purchased Online From Some Retailers
E-Commerce Limitations
A relatively new consideration with SNAP is purchasing groceries online. While the rules around this are constantly evolving, in some locations, you may not be able to use your SNAP benefits online. SNAP rules are currently updated so you *can* buy online, but this is only the case from certain stores.
This means you might have to go to the store in person if you want to purchase groceries with your SNAP card from some retailers. Check with your local store or the SNAP guidelines for your area to ensure that your favorite retailers are included.
The online SNAP rules are changing all of the time. Your best bet is to know the laws in your local state, and keep an eye on them as they shift. Always be sure of how you can or cannot buy what you need with your SNAP card.
Keep in mind:
- Some stores may offer online SNAP purchases; not all do.
- Delivery fees aren’t covered by SNAP.
- You still need to follow all the regular rules for what you can and can’t buy.
Restaurant Meals
Special Circumstances
The general rule is that you can’t use SNAP benefits to buy meals at restaurants. This is why we noted earlier that you typically cannot buy prepared foods at a grocery store. There are, however, some exceptions for people who can’t easily cook their own meals.
For example, people who are elderly, disabled, or homeless might be able to use their benefits to purchase meals at certain restaurants approved by the state. This can allow these individuals to eat hot meals when needed.
Each state has its own rules, so you’ll need to check with your local SNAP office to see if you qualify for these exceptions. You may need to submit paperwork to be approved for this, or for the restaurant to be approved.
Here are some reasons why someone might be eligible for this exception:
- Unable to prepare meals due to a disability.
- Lack of cooking facilities.
- Elderly and unable to shop and cook easily.
Food Stamps are designed to help people buy food, but there are some limits to what the program covers. Knowing what you *can* and *can’t* purchase with your SNAP benefits can help you budget and make sure you are following the rules. It’s a great tool for those who qualify, but understanding its limitations will make it even more effective.