SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, enables low-wage families to buy groceries. But there are certain restrictions on what is allowed by SNAP benefits and what is not. Here’s what you need to know, especially on cigarettes, tobacco, and other eligible and non-eligible items.
Read more: Can bottled water be purchased with SNAP Payment benefits and what is covered by Food Stamps?
What can be purchased with SNAP benefits?
SNAP benefits are primarily designed to help households purchase nutritious food. The program aims to ensure individuals and families have access to a balanced diet. Approved items include:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, canned, or frozen options to promote healthy eating.
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Raw proteins that can be prepared at home.
- Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and similar staples.
- Bread and Cereals: Whole-grain and processed options for a well-rounded diet.
- Snack Foods and Beverages: Non-alcoholic drinks and prepackaged snacks.
- Seeds and Plants: Products that allow households to grow their own food.
These items are essential for maintaining a nutritious and sustainable diet, and SNAP benefits ensure affordability for those in need.
What cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits?
While SNAP is versatile, it strictly prohibits certain purchases to ensure funds are spent on essential and nutritious foods. Prohibited items include:
- Cigarettes and Tobacco: SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or any other tobacco-related products.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and liquor are excluded from eligibility.
- Vitamins, Medicines, and Supplements: Products with a “Supplement Facts” label fall outside SNAP’s scope.
- Live Animals: Animals for consumption, except live fish, shellfish, or pre-slaughtered animals, cannot be bought with SNAP.
- Hot Foods: Foods that are prepared and hot at the point of sale, such as rotisserie chicken, are not covered.
- Non-Food Items: This includes pet foods, household supplies (e.g., cleaning products, paper goods), hygiene items, and cosmetics.
These exclusions are designed to keep the program focused on providing essential food items and ensuring funds are used appropriately.
Why cigarettes and tobacco are excluded
Cigarettes and other tobacco products are not categorized under food or even essentials for nutrition. They are rather allocated by SNAP funds to supplement food security and live a healthier life, which also can be seen as not covering health-related items or products such as tobacco. Smoking-related products are also taxed too highly and therefore prohibitive of inclusion in SNAP benefits, as they are inconsistent with program objectives.
Ineligible under SNAP, cigarettes and other tobacco products do not constitute food or nutrients. They shun bad food. SNAP funds supplement food security, preferably promoting healthier lifestyles, which set prohibitions against health-affecting items such as tobacco. By designation, smoking-related products happen to be heavily taxed, and it precludes their being part of the SNAP benefits program.
Understanding retailer eligibility and food classifications
Retailers participating in the SNAP program must meet eligibility criteria, including offering a significant inventory of staple foods.
- Staple Foods: Items like bread, meat, dairy, and vegetables that form the basis of a healthy diet.
- Prepared and Heated Foods: Foods served hot at the point of purchase are not covered by SNAP benefits.
- Accessory Foods: Items such as condiments, spices, or sweeteners are considered “accessory” but are often eligible.
Retailers are required to separate SNAP-eligible products from non-eligible ones at the point of sale to ensure compliance.
Need clarification? Use AskUSDA
If you’re uncertain about purchasing items using SNAP, available to you if you check out AskUSDA on the USDA’s website, which handles many of the more common questions about SNAP-eligible items. AskUSDA supposes that both households and retailers will have proper communications when using SNAP: households get their full benefits for qualified purchases on one day each month; retailers collect their initial transactions daily.
Final take on the issue
SNAP helps bring necessary support to the low-income population by allowing them to afford nutrient-rich foods. Eligible items include fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products, while prohibited items include cigarettes, tobacco, and other non-food items. Learning these rules enables beneficiaries to optimize their SNAP benefits while remaining compliant with program regulations.
