SNAP

Can you buy dry ice with an EBT card?

Image of Aidan Lovely
Image of Aidan Lovely

No, if you get SNAP benefits (also called food stamps) you can’t use your EBT card to buy dry ice. You can use your SNAP benefits on regular ice (like the kind that comes in bags) but not dry ice.

Dry ice is a special kind of ice: Instead of frozen water it’s made with frozen, liquified carbon dioxide. Since you can’t eat or drink dry ice, the government considers it to be a "non-food" item, which means it’s not SNAP-eligible.

SNAP benefits can only be used on eligible groceries, like produce, dairy, canned goods, drinks, and snacks.

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Can I buy regular ice with an EBT card?#can-i-buy-regular-ice-with-an-ebt-card

Yes, you can buy regular ice, including crushed ice and block ice, with an EBT card.

If you receive SNAP benefits, cash is deposited monthly on your EBT card for you to spend on eligible foods, and regular ice is considered an eligible food item. so you can use your EBT card to buy it. Reusable ice packs, however, are not eligible.

To buy ice with EBT, start by finding a store near you that takes EBT. Many popular grocery stores sell ice including Albertsons, Safeway, and Target.

You can find a store near you that takes EBT by using the USDA’s SNAP Retail Locator.

What else can I buy with my EBT card?#what-else-can-i-buy-with-my-ebt-card

The eligible food rules for SNAP are generally pretty simple—you can only use SNAP benefits on groceries, not on hot food or household products like toilet paper or soap.

Generally, SNAP covers:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat and seafood
  • Dairy and eggs
  • Bread and cereal
  • Grains like rice and quinoa
  • Snack foods like chips, candy, and nuts
  • Cold, non-alcoholic drinks like milk, apple juice, soda, and water (and ice)

There are some items you can’t buy with your EBT card if you get SNAP, including:

  • Medicines, vitamins. and supplements
  • Alcohol and tobacco products
  • Non-food items like clothing, electronics, or pet food
  • Hot and prepared foods or drinks like hot pizza or hot coffee

However, if your state is part of the Restaurant Meals Program or has active Disaster SNAP waivers, you may be able to buy hot food with your EBT card.