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

Understanding what can and cannot be bought with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps recipients spend their benefits wisely. A common question is whether butter qualifies as an approved purchase.

Can You Buy Butter with EBT/ Food Stamps?

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

Butter is considered a staple food item, which makes it eligible for purchase under SNAP guidelines. The program allows for the purchase of most food products intended for home preparation and consumption, and butter falls into this category. This ensures that recipients can include essential ingredients in their diets.

How to Check If Butter Is SNAP-Eligible

To check if butter 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 while shopping.

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 butter, 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:

• Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and liquor are strictly prohibited.

• Household Supplies: Items like soap, paper products, and cleaning supplies are not eligible.

• Vitamins and Supplements: Products labeled with "Supplement Facts" are excluded.

• 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 it using another form of payment or remove it from your purchase altogether.

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, helping you stay on top of your benefits without hassle.

With Benny, you can also earn cash back on groceries and other purchases at stores like Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, and many more. This makes it a practical choice for maximizing your benefits.

Learn more about how Benny can help you manage your SNAP benefits effectively by visiting Benny today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a limit on how much butter you can buy with SNAP benefits?

No, there is no specific limit on the amount of butter you can purchase with SNAP benefits. You can buy as much butter as your benefits allow, just like any other eligible food item.

2. Are all types of butter eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits?

Yes, all types of butter, including salted, unsalted, and even specialty butters like organic or grass-fed, are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. As long as it is a food product intended for home consumption, it qualifies.

3. Can you buy butter substitutes with SNAP benefits?

Yes, butter substitutes such as margarine and plant-based spreads are also eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. These items fall under the same category as butter and are considered staple food items.

4. Does the eligibility of butter for SNAP benefits vary by state?

No, the eligibility of butter for SNAP benefits does not vary by state. Butter is universally considered a staple food item and is eligible for purchase under federal SNAP guidelines.