Because we get a lot of questions about specific items people want to know if they can buy with their EBT card, we are creating a separate category to address these questions. The first question we are going to start with is – “Can I buy Coffee with EBT Card?”. Before we answer the question, it’s important to review the EBT Food List, so you have a good understanding of the list of items you are permitted to buy with your EBT Card and where you can get those items from (Grocery Stores, Superstores, Corner Stores, Convenience Stores, Pharmacies and Farmers Markets).
List of Eligible Food Stamps Items
The U.S Department of Agriculture, which administers the food stamps program at the federal level and sets standards that the states must follow has strict guidelines on what you can use your EBT Card to purchase. EBT card is to help recipients buy nutritious food that are prepared at home. With that in mind, here are the food categories you are allowed to buy:
breads and cereals;
fruits and vegetables;
meats, fish and poultry; and
dairy products.
Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.
In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.
What you CANNOT Buy with EBT Food Stamps Card:
Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Any nonfood items, such as:
pet foods
soaps, paper products
household supplies
Vitamins and medicines
Food that will be eaten in the store
Hot foods
With this in mind, here is the answer to our original question:
Can I buy Coffee with EBT Card?
You are allowed to use your EBT Card to buy coffee that you are going to make at home, including K-Cups for Keurig coffee machines. However, you are not allowed to use your food stamps card to buy prepared hot coffee at a coffee shop like Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts or hot coffee at 7-Eleven or other convenience stores. As it is stated above, you are only allowed to use your card to buy foods that will be prepared/made at home.
