The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a super helpful government program that helps people with low incomes buy food. It gives them a debit card, called an EBT card, to spend on groceries. But even though SNAP is a great resource, it doesn’t cover everything. This essay will explore some of the things that SNAP simply cannot be used for.
What About Non-Food Items?
So, can you buy anything you want with SNAP benefits? No, you can’t use SNAP to buy items that aren’t food. SNAP is specifically designed to help people get the food they need to eat.
Household Supplies
Think about all the stuff you need to keep your home running. Things like soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and even light bulbs aren’t covered by SNAP. You’ll have to pay for these things with money from other sources.
Here’s a little shopping list to help you remember what SNAP doesn’t cover:
- Cleaning products
- Toiletries
- Paper products
- Household items
These are considered “non-food” items, which is a key term to understand. This means they aren’t meant for eating, drinking, or nutrition.
Let’s look at why this is so. The purpose of SNAP is to help people afford the necessities to keep them fed. It helps families with the basics like milk, eggs, and bread, not things like laundry detergent. Cleaning supplies are also not considered part of the list of things to keep people fed.
Pet Food and Supplies
If you have a furry friend, you probably know that pet food and supplies can be expensive. However, SNAP doesn’t cover these costs. You’ll need to budget for your pet’s food, toys, and other needs separately.
It’s important to remember that SNAP is for humans. Although our pets are family, the program is designed for humans. This means pet supplies are not an approved purchase with SNAP benefits.
Here is a brief overview of things SNAP does *not* cover for pets:
- Pet food (dry or wet)
- Pet toys
- Pet medications
Finding alternative methods to obtain pet supplies is important when you depend on SNAP.
Alcohol and Tobacco Products
SNAP benefits can’t be used to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. These items are considered non-essential and not directly related to providing nutritious food.
This is a pretty straightforward rule. The government wants to make sure that SNAP benefits are used for food. Even though some people may enjoy a beer or a pack of cigarettes, these things aren’t seen as necessary for basic nutrition.
Think about it this way. The goal is to ensure people have access to healthy, nutritious food. This is where the money from SNAP is expected to go.
You may find this information outlined in the following chart:
| Item | SNAP Coverage |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | No |
| Tobacco | No |
| Food | Yes |
Vitamins and Supplements
While vitamins and supplements can be important for health, SNAP generally doesn’t cover them. The focus of SNAP is on providing food, not supplements.
This can be a tricky one because some people rely on vitamins for their health. However, vitamins are not considered food under SNAP guidelines.
Here is a list of things that are not covered by SNAP:
- Vitamin pills
- Protein powder
- Herbal supplements
- Diet pills
If a doctor recommends supplements, it’s a good idea to explore different programs for assistance.
Prepared Foods (Sometimes)
Buying prepared foods is a little more complicated. SNAP can cover some prepared foods, like cold deli items you can eat at home. But, it generally does not cover hot meals from restaurants or food eaten inside of the store.
The rules about prepared foods can depend on where you live. Some states may have programs that allow SNAP recipients to purchase hot meals at certain restaurants, but this is not always the case.
Take a look at what can be purchased with SNAP:
- Cold Deli Items
- Prepared foods, to be eaten at home.
Make sure you check local rules.
Non-Food Retail Items
Basically, you can’t use SNAP to buy things that aren’t sold in a grocery store. Things like clothing, electronics, and other non-food items are not covered. SNAP is for food purchases only.
The idea is that SNAP is for the basic necessity of food. Other needs, like clothing or a new TV, are not part of the program.
Let’s look at some retail items that are not allowed:
- Clothing
- Electronics (TVs, phones, etc.)
- Furniture
There are other programs that can help with items. Check into community assistance or other programs.
So, now you know that SNAP has its limits. While it provides a really important service, it is meant to provide food. Keep in mind that it is for items to keep you fed. Now you know the limitations.