Navigating the world of food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often called EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), can be a little tricky! You might be wondering exactly what you can buy with your EBT card. Specifically, a common question is, “Does EBT cover paper products like paper towels, toilet paper, or napkins?” Let’s dive in and clear up any confusion!
What SNAP Actually Covers: The Basics
No, SNAP (EBT) generally does not cover paper products. EBT is designed to help people buy food, so it can be used for food items, but it doesn’t usually extend to non-food essentials like paper towels and other household supplies. This means when you are at the store, the EBT card will only cover the items the government considers food.
What Types of Food Are Allowed?
SNAP is designed to help people afford food. This includes a wide variety of food items. Think about what you see at the grocery store, anything from fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy products. A lot of food items are allowed, but there are a few exceptions.
Let’s look at some examples:
- Fruits and vegetables: Apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, etc.
- Meat, poultry, and fish: Chicken, beef, salmon, etc.
- Dairy products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Breads and cereals: Bread, pasta, rice, cereal, etc.
- Snack foods: Chips, cookies, crackers, etc.
Remember, if you want to use your EBT to buy food, the item must be a “food” item.
What Food Items Are Not Covered?
While EBT covers a lot, there are some items that are not allowed. Again, these are items not considered food. These items cannot be paid for with an EBT card. Knowing what you can’t buy is just as important as knowing what you can.
Here are some examples of items that are typically not allowed to be purchased with SNAP benefits:
- Alcoholic beverages: Beer, wine, liquor.
- Tobacco products: Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco.
- Vitamins and supplements: Though sometimes there are exceptions.
- Non-food items: Paper products, cleaning supplies, pet food.
- Hot foods: Ready-to-eat meals sold at places like delis or fast food restaurants are generally not covered.
There can be some exceptions, but these are the general rules.
Paper Products: Why They’re Excluded
Paper products like paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, and tissues are considered essential household supplies, but they are not considered food. SNAP’s primary goal is to ensure people can afford nutritious food for themselves and their families. Paper products and cleaning supplies fall into a different category of household needs.
The focus is strictly on food, so the program can help as many people as possible. The government has to make decisions to best meet the program’s goals, and that means drawing a line somewhere. The goal is to reduce hunger by helping people afford nutritious food. These are important, but they aren’t the primary goal of EBT.
- Paper towels are used for cleaning up messes.
- Toilet paper is a hygiene product.
- Napkins are used at meals.
- Tissues are used to blow your nose.
There are other programs to help with these needs, so this allows EBT to focus on helping with food.
Where Can You Buy Paper Products?
Although EBT can’t pay for them, you can certainly buy paper products in many places! Grocery stores, drug stores, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target all sell paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, and other similar products. You can also find a wide selection of these items at online retailers, too. You just have to pay for these items with other forms of payment such as cash or debit card.
Here’s where you can find paper products:
| Store Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | Kroger, Safeway, Publix |
| Drug Stores | CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid |
| Big-Box Retailers | Walmart, Target, Costco |
| Online Retailers | Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com |
These stores also sell food, so you can easily pick up both your EBT-eligible items and your paper products in a single shopping trip.
Other Programs that Can Help with Non-Food Essentials
While EBT doesn’t cover paper products, there are other programs designed to help families with the cost of essential household items. These programs vary by state and local area, so you should check with your local social services office to see what is available in your community.
These programs might include:
- Emergency Assistance: Some areas offer emergency assistance programs that may help with one-time purchases of essential household items.
- Food Banks: Many food banks provide not only food but also hygiene products and cleaning supplies.
- Community Assistance: Churches and other community organizations often have programs to help families in need.
- Charitable Organizations: Charities may provide aid to low-income families.
Always ask about the local programs!
Does This Apply to All Paper Products?
Generally, the rules apply across the board. You cannot use your EBT card to purchase any type of paper product. That said, there might be some edge cases. For instance, some specialized food stores might sell paper plates designed for eating. In a situation like this, it may or may not be an approved item. It depends on the store and the state’s rules.
Again, the focus of the EBT is providing food. So the program is more focused on food items than non-food items.
- Paper towels: Not allowed
- Toilet paper: Not allowed
- Napkins: Not allowed
- Paper plates (unless food): Generally not allowed
The general rules are pretty clear.
Conclusion
In short, the answer to “Does EBT cover paper products?” is generally no. EBT benefits are specifically designed to purchase food items to help people get nutritious meals. While it doesn’t cover paper goods, there are other resources available in your community to help with those needs. Remember to explore all the programs and resources available to you to ensure you and your family have everything you need!