7 CFR § 271.2 & 7 CFR § 274.7(a)

The EBT card can be used to purchase eligible food at any retail food store.  EBT benefits can be used to pay a SNAP claim.  

Advise EDGs at application and renewal how to properly use their benefits.  Click here for more information on using SNAP benefits.

Retail Food Store

7 CFR § 271.2

Retail food store generally means an establishment authorized by FNS to accept benefits. 

The following require authorization by FNS:

• Communal Dining Facility 
• Farmers’ markets 
• Meal delivery service
• Retail grocery/convenience stores 
• Wholesale food distributors 

Note: This list is not all inclusive. FNS may authorize other types of establishments.

The following establishments may be authorized by FNS to accept benefits or may be authorized representatives/shoppers for the residents:

• Group Living for the disabled facilities
• Homeless shelters
• Residential addiction treatment centers
• Shelters for battered individuals

Eligible Items

7 CFR § 271.2 & 7 CFR § 274.7(a) and (g)(1)-(4)

EDGs can use SNAP EBT cards to buy eligible foods, such as but not limited to:

• Authorized prepared meals
• Communal dining facilities
• Meal delivery services
• Retail food stores
• Breads
• Cereals
• Dairy products
• Fish
• Fruits
• Meats 
• Poultry
• Seeds and plants which produce food to eat.
• Vegetable
• Baby formula

Ineligible Items

7 CFR § 271.2 & 7 CFR § 274.7(j)

EDGs cannot use their SNAP EBT cards to purchase non-food items, such as but not limited to:

• Beer
• Cigarettes
• Container deposit fees
• Energy drinks classified by the FDA as supplements (have a supplement facts label rather than a nutrition facts label)
• Hot foods

(Exception: Authorized prepared meals)

• Household supplies
• Liquor
• Medicines
• Paper products
• Paying credit accounts
• Pet food
• Soaps
• Tobacco
• Vitamin
• Wine

Paying a Claim 

7 CFR § 273.17(b) and (d)(4) & 7 CFR § 273.18(c)(1) and (e)(7)(ii) and (f) and (g)(1)-(3) 

EDGs can pay a SNAP claim using benefits from their SNAP account.  EDGs can use their: 

• active, 
• inactive, or 
• expunged benefits.

The EDG must provide written or verbal permission to repay a claim using their SNAP active benefits.  

Provide a notice to the EDG when inactive benefits are applied to a claim.  Allow the EDG 10 days to dispute using their inactive benefits.

Do not reduce the initial month’s benefits to offset a claim, unless the EDG agrees to the reduction.

Offset restored benefits by the amount of any outstanding claim.  See Overpayments and Claims for more information about claims and collection.