One of the most common questions I see from people about using their SNAP (EBT) benefits is:
Can I use my SNAP benefits to buy food in a different state?
So let's cut to the chase:
Yes, federal rules guarantee you can use your SNAP in other states
Specifically, the federal regulation rule (7 CFR 274.8(b)(10)) says:
the EBT system must enable benefits issued in the form of an EBT card to be redeemed in any State [1]
Lots of people live near the border with other states, and even commute across state lines to work. This rule makes sure they can use their benefits regardless of state.
But heads up: consistent EBT use in a different state may raise red flags
One thing to be careful of is using your benefits consistently and for a long time (weeks, months) in a different state.
That's because SNAP rules say that if you have moved to a different state, then you need to:
- Close your benefits in your old state
- Apply for SNAP again in your new state
So while using your benefits in another state is not a problem in general, sometimes a state agency will contact someone if their transaction history shows consistent use of benefits in a different state.
The main thing to take away is, if you've moved, contact your old state's SNAP agency and let them know. Then, apply in your new state.
(It's also helpful to get and keep a termination notice from your old state and include with your new application. That makes sure your new state won't hold up your benefits because they think you're receiving them somewhere else.
See out-of-state purchases in your EBT transaction history?
It's a good idea to check your EBT transaction history regularly. That's because (unfortunately) EBT theft has been on the rise in the past few years.
You might see purchases from a different state. If that looks strange to you, there are two common reasons:
- Online purchases often use the "home" location of the store (for example, online Walmart orders may show up in your transaction history as Bentonville, Arkansas). So if you made an online purchase from that store, you probably don't need to worry that it shows a different state.
- Theft transactions unfortunately often show up in a different state. (One recent report said 2 out of 3 benefits thefts happen out of state.) That's because criminals most often do EBT theft by skimming and cloning your card — and they can use that cloned card anywhere. So if you see a transaction you didn't make, change your PIN (or order a card replacement) immediately, and report it to your state agency.
We've added features to the Propel app to help you with this. With the (free) app, you can:
- Review all your transactions
- Get notified of suspicious looking transactions (like a $0 purchase, which sometimes comes right before theft)
- Block all out-of-state transactions, to prevent EBT theft*
* Out-of-state blocking is available in most (but not all) states
