Can You Buy Gift Cards with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)
This article explains if you can buy gift cards with SNAP and details other eligible and ineligible food items.
Apr 24, 2025

Steve Austin

Can You Buy Gift Cards with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)
This article explains if you can buy gift cards with SNAP and details other eligible and ineligible food items.
Apr 24, 2025

Steve Austin

Can You Buy Gift Cards with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)
This article explains if you can buy gift cards with SNAP and details other eligible and ineligible food items.
Apr 24, 2025

Steve Austin

Can You Buy Gift Cards with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)
This article explains if you can buy gift cards with SNAP and details other eligible and ineligible food items.
Apr 24, 2025

Steve Austin

Can You Buy Gift Cards with EBT/Food Stamps? (2025)
This article explains if you can buy gift cards with SNAP and details other eligible and ineligible food items.
Apr 24, 2025

Steve Austin

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The ability to purchase gift cards with an EBT card depends on the type of benefits you are using.
Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, cannot be used to buy gift cards. These funds are designated by the federal government strictly for purchasing eligible food items for your household. Gift cards do not fall into this category.
However, if you have EBT Cash benefits, the rules are different. These funds, often from programs like TANF, can be used for non-food essentials. In most stores that accept EBT Cash, you can purchase gift cards just as you would with a debit card.
What Happens If You Try to Purchase Gift Cards with EBT SNAP/Food Stamps
Attempting to buy gift cards with your SNAP EBT card will result in the transaction being declined at the register. The system is designed to block non-eligible purchases. Knowingly misusing your benefits could be considered fraud, potentially leading to penalties, including the loss of your SNAP assistance.
How to Check If an Item Is EBT-Eligible
Knowing what you can buy with your EBT card comes down to understanding the rules for each benefit type you receive.
How to Check SNAP Eligibility
SNAP eligibility is product-based, meaning it depends on the item itself, not the store. These benefits are for household foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. You can check the USDA’s eligible food list for detailed guidance on what qualifies for purchase.
Items like hot, prepared foods and non-food goods are not covered. Gift cards are always ineligible because the Food and Nutrition Act limits SNAP to food for home consumption, and gift cards can be used for other purposes.
How to Check EBT Cash Eligibility
Unlike SNAP, EBT Cash restrictions are often merchant-based and vary by state. Because these funds operate like a debit account, they can typically cover non-food essentials. However, states can block certain purchases, including gift cards, at specific types of retailers to prevent misuse.
Whether you can buy a gift card with EBT Cash depends entirely on your state’s rules. The best way to find out is to check with your local agency. You can find the right contact information through the official state agency directory.
Save on Groceries, Get Cash Back on SNAP
Download the app

What Else Can You Not Buy with EBT SNAP
Just as you cannot buy gift cards with food stamps, the program has clear rules about other ineligible items. SNAP benefits are designated for staple foods, so you cannot use them to purchase things like household supplies, alcohol, or prepared hot meals.
Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements that have a “Supplement Facts” label instead of a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Any alcoholic beverages, like beer or wine, and tobacco products.
Live animals, with the exception of shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pickup.
Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, household goods, and pet food.
Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny
With the free Benny app, you can monitor your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases from stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. Once you make a purchase, just scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on your SNAP-eligible items.
Download Benny to take charge of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.
SHARE
The ability to purchase gift cards with an EBT card depends on the type of benefits you are using.
Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, cannot be used to buy gift cards. These funds are designated by the federal government strictly for purchasing eligible food items for your household. Gift cards do not fall into this category.
However, if you have EBT Cash benefits, the rules are different. These funds, often from programs like TANF, can be used for non-food essentials. In most stores that accept EBT Cash, you can purchase gift cards just as you would with a debit card.
What Happens If You Try to Purchase Gift Cards with EBT SNAP/Food Stamps
Attempting to buy gift cards with your SNAP EBT card will result in the transaction being declined at the register. The system is designed to block non-eligible purchases. Knowingly misusing your benefits could be considered fraud, potentially leading to penalties, including the loss of your SNAP assistance.
How to Check If an Item Is EBT-Eligible
Knowing what you can buy with your EBT card comes down to understanding the rules for each benefit type you receive.
How to Check SNAP Eligibility
SNAP eligibility is product-based, meaning it depends on the item itself, not the store. These benefits are for household foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. You can check the USDA’s eligible food list for detailed guidance on what qualifies for purchase.
Items like hot, prepared foods and non-food goods are not covered. Gift cards are always ineligible because the Food and Nutrition Act limits SNAP to food for home consumption, and gift cards can be used for other purposes.
How to Check EBT Cash Eligibility
Unlike SNAP, EBT Cash restrictions are often merchant-based and vary by state. Because these funds operate like a debit account, they can typically cover non-food essentials. However, states can block certain purchases, including gift cards, at specific types of retailers to prevent misuse.
Whether you can buy a gift card with EBT Cash depends entirely on your state’s rules. The best way to find out is to check with your local agency. You can find the right contact information through the official state agency directory.
Save on Groceries, Get Cash Back on SNAP
Download the app

What Else Can You Not Buy with EBT SNAP
Just as you cannot buy gift cards with food stamps, the program has clear rules about other ineligible items. SNAP benefits are designated for staple foods, so you cannot use them to purchase things like household supplies, alcohol, or prepared hot meals.
Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements that have a “Supplement Facts” label instead of a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Any alcoholic beverages, like beer or wine, and tobacco products.
Live animals, with the exception of shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pickup.
Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, household goods, and pet food.
Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny
With the free Benny app, you can monitor your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases from stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. Once you make a purchase, just scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on your SNAP-eligible items.
Download Benny to take charge of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.
SHARE
The ability to purchase gift cards with an EBT card depends on the type of benefits you are using.
Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, cannot be used to buy gift cards. These funds are designated by the federal government strictly for purchasing eligible food items for your household. Gift cards do not fall into this category.
However, if you have EBT Cash benefits, the rules are different. These funds, often from programs like TANF, can be used for non-food essentials. In most stores that accept EBT Cash, you can purchase gift cards just as you would with a debit card.
What Happens If You Try to Purchase Gift Cards with EBT SNAP/Food Stamps
Attempting to buy gift cards with your SNAP EBT card will result in the transaction being declined at the register. The system is designed to block non-eligible purchases. Knowingly misusing your benefits could be considered fraud, potentially leading to penalties, including the loss of your SNAP assistance.
How to Check If an Item Is EBT-Eligible
Knowing what you can buy with your EBT card comes down to understanding the rules for each benefit type you receive.
How to Check SNAP Eligibility
SNAP eligibility is product-based, meaning it depends on the item itself, not the store. These benefits are for household foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. You can check the USDA’s eligible food list for detailed guidance on what qualifies for purchase.
Items like hot, prepared foods and non-food goods are not covered. Gift cards are always ineligible because the Food and Nutrition Act limits SNAP to food for home consumption, and gift cards can be used for other purposes.
How to Check EBT Cash Eligibility
Unlike SNAP, EBT Cash restrictions are often merchant-based and vary by state. Because these funds operate like a debit account, they can typically cover non-food essentials. However, states can block certain purchases, including gift cards, at specific types of retailers to prevent misuse.
Whether you can buy a gift card with EBT Cash depends entirely on your state’s rules. The best way to find out is to check with your local agency. You can find the right contact information through the official state agency directory.
Save on Groceries, Get Cash Back on SNAP
Download the app

What Else Can You Not Buy with EBT SNAP
Just as you cannot buy gift cards with food stamps, the program has clear rules about other ineligible items. SNAP benefits are designated for staple foods, so you cannot use them to purchase things like household supplies, alcohol, or prepared hot meals.
Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements that have a “Supplement Facts” label instead of a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Any alcoholic beverages, like beer or wine, and tobacco products.
Live animals, with the exception of shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pickup.
Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, household goods, and pet food.
Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny
With the free Benny app, you can monitor your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases from stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. Once you make a purchase, just scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on your SNAP-eligible items.
Download Benny to take charge of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.
SHARE
The ability to purchase gift cards with an EBT card depends on the type of benefits you are using.
Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, cannot be used to buy gift cards. These funds are designated by the federal government strictly for purchasing eligible food items for your household. Gift cards do not fall into this category.
However, if you have EBT Cash benefits, the rules are different. These funds, often from programs like TANF, can be used for non-food essentials. In most stores that accept EBT Cash, you can purchase gift cards just as you would with a debit card.
What Happens If You Try to Purchase Gift Cards with EBT SNAP/Food Stamps
Attempting to buy gift cards with your SNAP EBT card will result in the transaction being declined at the register. The system is designed to block non-eligible purchases. Knowingly misusing your benefits could be considered fraud, potentially leading to penalties, including the loss of your SNAP assistance.
How to Check If an Item Is EBT-Eligible
Knowing what you can buy with your EBT card comes down to understanding the rules for each benefit type you receive.
How to Check SNAP Eligibility
SNAP eligibility is product-based, meaning it depends on the item itself, not the store. These benefits are for household foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. You can check the USDA’s eligible food list for detailed guidance on what qualifies for purchase.
Items like hot, prepared foods and non-food goods are not covered. Gift cards are always ineligible because the Food and Nutrition Act limits SNAP to food for home consumption, and gift cards can be used for other purposes.
How to Check EBT Cash Eligibility
Unlike SNAP, EBT Cash restrictions are often merchant-based and vary by state. Because these funds operate like a debit account, they can typically cover non-food essentials. However, states can block certain purchases, including gift cards, at specific types of retailers to prevent misuse.
Whether you can buy a gift card with EBT Cash depends entirely on your state’s rules. The best way to find out is to check with your local agency. You can find the right contact information through the official state agency directory.
Save on Groceries, Get Cash Back on SNAP
Download the app

What Else Can You Not Buy with EBT SNAP
Just as you cannot buy gift cards with food stamps, the program has clear rules about other ineligible items. SNAP benefits are designated for staple foods, so you cannot use them to purchase things like household supplies, alcohol, or prepared hot meals.
Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements that have a “Supplement Facts” label instead of a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Any alcoholic beverages, like beer or wine, and tobacco products.
Live animals, with the exception of shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pickup.
Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, household goods, and pet food.
Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny
With the free Benny app, you can monitor your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases from stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. Once you make a purchase, just scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on your SNAP-eligible items.
Download Benny to take charge of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.
SHARE
The ability to purchase gift cards with an EBT card depends on the type of benefits you are using.
Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, cannot be used to buy gift cards. These funds are designated by the federal government strictly for purchasing eligible food items for your household. Gift cards do not fall into this category.
However, if you have EBT Cash benefits, the rules are different. These funds, often from programs like TANF, can be used for non-food essentials. In most stores that accept EBT Cash, you can purchase gift cards just as you would with a debit card.
What Happens If You Try to Purchase Gift Cards with EBT SNAP/Food Stamps
Attempting to buy gift cards with your SNAP EBT card will result in the transaction being declined at the register. The system is designed to block non-eligible purchases. Knowingly misusing your benefits could be considered fraud, potentially leading to penalties, including the loss of your SNAP assistance.
How to Check If an Item Is EBT-Eligible
Knowing what you can buy with your EBT card comes down to understanding the rules for each benefit type you receive.
How to Check SNAP Eligibility
SNAP eligibility is product-based, meaning it depends on the item itself, not the store. These benefits are for household foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. You can check the USDA’s eligible food list for detailed guidance on what qualifies for purchase.
Items like hot, prepared foods and non-food goods are not covered. Gift cards are always ineligible because the Food and Nutrition Act limits SNAP to food for home consumption, and gift cards can be used for other purposes.
How to Check EBT Cash Eligibility
Unlike SNAP, EBT Cash restrictions are often merchant-based and vary by state. Because these funds operate like a debit account, they can typically cover non-food essentials. However, states can block certain purchases, including gift cards, at specific types of retailers to prevent misuse.
Whether you can buy a gift card with EBT Cash depends entirely on your state’s rules. The best way to find out is to check with your local agency. You can find the right contact information through the official state agency directory.
Save on Groceries, Get Cash Back on SNAP
Download the app

What Else Can You Not Buy with EBT SNAP
Just as you cannot buy gift cards with food stamps, the program has clear rules about other ineligible items. SNAP benefits are designated for staple foods, so you cannot use them to purchase things like household supplies, alcohol, or prepared hot meals.
Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements that have a “Supplement Facts” label instead of a “Nutrition Facts” label.
Any alcoholic beverages, like beer or wine, and tobacco products.
Live animals, with the exception of shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before store pickup.
Non-food items such as cleaning supplies, paper products, household goods, and pet food.
Track Your EBT Balance and Earn Cashback with Benny
With the free Benny app, you can monitor your EBT balance in real time and get cash back on eligible purchases from stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. To begin, link your EBT card to the app. Once you make a purchase, just scan your receipt with Benny to receive cashback on your SNAP-eligible items.
Download Benny to take charge of your spending and get more from your EBT benefits.