SNAP

Can you buy vitamins with EBT?

Image of Rachael Brennan
Image of Rachael Brennan
Table of contents

No, SNAP benefits can’t be used to buy any type of vitamin or other nutritional supplement.

SNAP benefits only cover eligible groceries, which does include some heavily supplemented foods, like protein shakes and meal replacement bars, but not vitamins on their own.

A good rule of thumb is to look at the label when you’re grocery shopping—if the item has a “supplement label” it’s not SNAP-eligible, but if it has a “nutrition facts” label, it probably is.

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Why can’t you buy vitamins with your EBT card?#why-cant-you-buy-vitamins-with-your-ebt-card

SNAP benefits are designed to help eligible families afford groceries, which means you can use your SNAP EBT benefits on most pantry staples, like eggs, milk, cheese, bread, and canned goods.

Supplements are designed to boost your nutritional intake, so you might assume you can buy vitamins with your EBT card, but nutritional supplements like multivitamins are considered a non-food item and are not covered by SNAP.

The SNAP rules are very specific about what is and is not eligible. One of the tips to remember when using SNAP is that you cannot buy anything that has a supplement label instead of a nutrition label, which means you can’t buy vitamins with your SNAP benefits.

What else does SNAP not cover?#what-else-does-snap-not-cover

An image showing items that aren't SNAP eligible, like hot chicken, pet food, medicines, and paper towels

Vitamins and nutritional supplements aren’t the only things you can’t buy with your EBT card. SNAP benefits also do not cover:

  • Alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or hard seltzer, even if it’s used for cooking
  • Cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco products
  • Live animals (with very few exceptions)
  • Hot prepared food, like food from a restaurant (with the exception of people who qualify for the restaurant meals program)
  • Pet supplies like food and treats
  • Cleaning supplies like bleach, dishwasher detergent, or sponges
  • Hygiene items like tampons, soap, or deodorant
  • Paper products like toilet paper, napkins, or paper towels
  • Baby supplies that are not food, like diapers and wipes
  • Any other non-food item, like clothing or toys

What healthy foods does SNAP cover?#what-healthy-foods-does-snap-cover

An image showing SNAP-eligible groceries including carrots, eggs, soda, canned fish, and cereal

Your SNAP benefits can be used for any eligible grocery items, including:

  • Bread, cereal, rice, and other grains
  • Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
  • Beef, chicken, pork, and other meats
  • Fish and seafood, both frozen and fresh
  • Fruits and vegetables, whether canned, frozen or fresh
  • Chips, popcorn, candy, and other snacks
  • Cold drinks, like water and juice
  • Seeds and plants for growing your own food

What supplements can you buy with EBT?#what-supplements-can-you-buy-with-ebt

Even though you can’t buy nutritional supplements with your EBT benefits, there are some foods that are heavily supplemented and still SNAP-eligible, including:

  • Fortified foods, like salt with iodine or milk with vitamin D
  • Meal replacement shakes, like Slimfast and Ensure
  • Drinks with added vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, like Gatorade or Vitamin Water
  • Protein bars and shakes