Can You Buy a Pizza with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)

Understanding what can and cannot be bought with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps, helps recipients spend their benefits wisely. Many wonder if pizza is an eligible purchase.

Can You Buy a Pizza with EBT/ Food Stamps?

Yes, you can buy pizza with Food Stamps or SNAP.

Pizza is eligible under SNAP because it is considered a food item that can be prepared and eaten at home. However, hot and ready-to-eat pizzas from restaurants or delis are not covered. The key factor is that the pizza must be purchased cold or frozen, allowing recipients to prepare it themselves.

How to Check If a Pizza Is SNAP-Eligible

To check if a pizza is SNAP-eligible, look for “EBT/SNAP eligible” shelf tags or icons on retailer websites. Most major grocers label qualifying foods, making it easier to identify eligible items.

Additionally, compare the product to USDA rules by visiting the official resource. If still unsure, ask the cashier or call your state SNAP hotline before making a purchase.

What Can You Buy with EBT/Food Stamps?

Besides pizza, you might be surprised to know that SNAP benefits cover many of these items:

• Plants: Vegetable seeds, fruit plants, and starters used to grow food at home.

• Farmers’ Markets: Eligible at many markets, often via tokens or electronic payments.

• Energy Drinks: Eligible if labeled with a "Nutrition Facts" panel (not "Supplement Facts").

• Bakery Items and Birthday Cakes: Decorated birthday cakes and baked goods.

• Seafood and Fresh Meat: Fresh, frozen, or canned seafood and meats.

What Can You Not Buy with EBT/Food Stamps?

While SNAP benefits cover a wide range of essential food items, there are products that cannot be purchased with these benefits, including:

• Alcohol and Tobacco: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products.

• Non-Food Items: Household supplies, pet foods, and personal care products.

• Vitamins and Supplements: Items labeled with "Supplement Facts" instead of "Nutrition Facts".

• Hot Foods: Foods that are hot at the point of sale, such as deli meals.

What Happens If You Try to Buy an Ineligible Item with an EBT Card?

If you try to buy an ineligible item with your EBT card, the transaction will be declined for that specific item. The cashier or the self-checkout system will notify you that the item is not covered by SNAP benefits. You will need to pay for the ineligible item using another form of payment, such as cash or a credit card.

Manage Your SNAP Benefits and Get Cashback with Benny

Managing your SNAP benefits can be easier with Benny. Our app allows you to check your EBT balance and transactions instantly, eliminating the need for phone calls or checking receipts.

Additionally, Benny offers cash back on groceries and other purchases at stores like Walmart, Target, and 7-Eleven. Learn more about how Benny can help you manage your SNAP benefits effectively by visiting Benny.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are frozen pizzas eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits?

Yes, frozen pizzas are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. They are considered a food item that can be prepared and eaten at home.

2. Can I buy a hot, ready-to-eat pizza from a restaurant with my EBT card?

No, hot and ready-to-eat pizzas from restaurants or delis are not covered by SNAP benefits. The pizza must be purchased cold or frozen to be eligible.

3. Do SNAP eligibility rules for pizza vary by state?

No, SNAP eligibility rules for pizza do not vary by state. The federal guidelines apply uniformly, allowing only cold or frozen pizzas to be purchased with SNAP benefits.

4. Can I buy a pizza from a grocery store deli if it is not hot?

Yes, you can buy a pizza from a grocery store deli if it is not hot. As long as the pizza is cold or frozen, it qualifies for purchase with SNAP benefits.