What can be purchased with FOOD STAMPS?

Question

I recently recieved food stamps and don't know my limits, what can i buy?? can i buy sugar ketchup, seasonings all groceries sour cream?? what else?

Answer 1

Sweetie,Yes,any food items.Even frozen items,items from the deli,canned goods,pastas,etc..Have a good day,Good luck hun.

P.S. I must say,it is great that you asked for help when needed.Most would be ashamed to admit they cant provide for whatever needs they may have.If many more people would stand up and say they needed things we wouldnt have so much poverty today.

Answer 2

don't know where you guys all live but here in Minnesota, you cannot get on a foodstamp program and at the same time turn down a job. For ANY assistance, you must be currently looking for work(and prove it) or going to classes on looking for work(and prove it). For general assistance there is a limit of 5 years and after that you are on your own.... Also, in some states, depending on what is available and the time of year, yes. healthy fresh produce and lean meats are more expensive than mac and cheese boxes and hot dogs. Thats why lots of poor folks eat that stuff and don't buy the fresh produce. It is winter here and that means that all produce is imported from southern states and other countries and that bumps up the cost enormously. While I do agree, to a certain extent, that food stamps could probably be used more efficiently, there is also no way for anyone to know if the shopper saved stamps for just such a treat or eats like that all the time. There is nothing wrong with being efficient enough to already have the necessities and use some for treats now and then. Because someone is poor doesn't mean they cannot or do not want snacks and sweet treats now and then. What I would really like to see is toilet paper and soap included. It is sad that someone on foodstamps can buy candy but cannot buy toilet paper.

Answer 3

Where I'm from, you can buy all foods that need to be prepared - Even if all you need to do is heat it up. The caveat is, if it's made in the grocery store - like heat-n-eat pastas, or hot soups, they can't be purchased with food stamps.

Also, paper products can't be purchased, cleaning or bath products, nor can alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, fast food, or pet food.

As a personal note, I think that personal toiletries should be allowed. Just because you are having a rough spot financially, doesn't mean that you want to live in squalor. I have also known people who were on food stamps buying ground beef and rice to feed their pets - they get hungry too! It's a shame that they put so many restrictions on food stamps - some are understandable, but other rules are just plain stupid.

Answer 4

You should have received an information packet when you got food stamps. If you haven't, you will probably have an informational meeting that is pretty self-explanatory where they walk you through the steps of how to use your food stamp card (much like a debit card) before you the card is activated. They will give you a booklet then. Generally, food stamps can only buy "food" (bananas, bread, milk, cereal, fish, "food") -- but not alcohol. You can't use them at McDonald's... you can use them in the grocery. If you want to use them at someplace like Sam's Club, ask first. It's pretty obvious at the cash register sometimes what people accept and don't -- food stamps are called "EBT" (that's the politically correct term for it nowadays). In some states, if my memory serves me correctly, a special subgroup may use them to buy diapers (needy women who recently gave birth.)
For more information, check the food stamp informational web site of your state.

Answer 5

you can buy all foods, even baby food. you can't buy hot food like if the store sold hot plates, you can't use food stamps for that. no paper products, alcohol, tobacco or medicine.

you can also use coupons but you have to pay the tax on the coupons used.

Answer 6

You can buy any grocery item from the grocery dept, bakery, deli, etc everything expcept already made hot food. You cant buy alcohol but you can buy Pepsi or Coke.

Answer 7

Any food except alcohol. If you have WIC checks, there are more restrictions. The things not covered are stuff like diapers, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and so on.

Answer 8

You can only buy things that are edible. Nothing taxable. Everything you mentioned. Just remember, if it's not edible, you can't buy it on food stamps

Answer 9

Pretty much anything that is edible ( no toilet paper, household cleaners, etc) & is not considered "ready to eat" such as a plate lunch from the deli or a ready to serve rotisserrie chicken......

Answer 10

YES, you can buy whatever food item it is that you need.