If you are trying to find out whether you can buy dog food with EBT Card or Food Stamps in Florida, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will let you know if your Florida EBT Card can be used to purchase dog food at a local store near you.
In addition, we will also cover:
- SNAP EBT Eligible Items
- Can SNAP EBT be used for Fast Food in Florida?
- Can you buy Dog Food with EBT Card?
- Items Not Eligible for SNAP EBT
- Florida EBT Card Frequently Asked Questions
For help with your Florida EBT Card and purchasing dog food with your food stamp benefits, continue reading below.
Florida SNAP EBT Benefits Help
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also know as food stamps, to low-income individuals and families.
The goal of the program is to promote a healthy life and proper nutrition by providing monthly monetary benefits.
The monthly food benefits can be used to purchase everything from bread to seeds and plants to grow your own food.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits is determined by evaluating various factors, such as household size, income level, and expenses.
For help and information on how to apply for Florida food stamp benefits, check out our step-by-step Florida SNAP Application guide here.
For help determining whether or not your Florida food stamp benefits can be used to purchase dog food, then continue reading below.
SNAP EBT Eligible Food Items
To address this question, let’s first take a look at the list of SNAP EBT approved items. The USDA is responsible for determining whether or not an item can be purchased with your SNAP EBT benefits.
Households can use SNAP benefits to buy food for the household to eat, including:
- Breads and Cereals
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Meats, Fish and Poultry
- Dairy Products
- Seeds and Plants (to produce food)
Additionally, in some areas restaurants and fast food can accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly or disabled individuals.
Can SNAP EBT be used for Fast Food in Florida?
Yes, eligible Florida EBT Cardholders can use their food stamp benefits to purchase low-cost meals from select fast food restaurant locations.
This program is called the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). RMP allows individuals who are homeless, elderly (age 60 or over), or disabled, and their spouse, to use their SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals at authorized restaurants.
Eligible authorized fast food restaurants may include McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, and Pizza Hut to name a few.
For more information on the Restaurant Meals Program in Florida, check out our complete article here.
Can you Buy Dog Food with EBT Card?
According to the USDA, you CANNOT use your SNAP EBT Card to buy dog food or pet supplies. This includes dog treats, cat litter, dog food, cat food, and pet medication.
This information has been provided directly from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website, so the information provided is guaranteed as up-to-date and accurate. The only items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits are those listed above.
Additionally, your Florida food stamp benefits cannot be used to purchase any non-food items. For a complete list of items you cannot purchase with your Florida SNAP EBT Card, then continue reading below.
Items Not Eligible for SNAP EBT
Florida food stamp households cannot use SNAP EBT benefits to buy any of the following items:
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor
- Cigarettes and Tobacco Products
- Any Non-Food Items, including:
- Pet Foods
- Soap and Paper Products
- Household Supplies
- Hygiene Items and Cosmetics
- Vitamins, Medicines or Supplements
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Hot Food Items
- Prepared Food Items (that can be eaten in store)
Florida EBT Card FAQs
Check out our list of frequently asked questions related to the Florida EBT Card below.
Can I order groceries online for delivery with my Florida EBT Card?
Yes, you can purchase groceries online using your Florida EBT card and have them delivered directly to your door.
Currently, your Florida food stamps can be used to purchase groceries online for delivery at ALDI, Amazon, BJs Wholesale Club, Publix, and Walmart.
However, you cannot use your Florida food stamp benefits to pay for any delivery fees.
For information on where you can shop with your Florida SNAP EBT Card online, read our article here.
Do farmers’ markets accept Florida EBT?
Yes! Many farmer’s markets in Florida accept food stamp benefits and EBT Cards. In fact, some farmer’s markets even double your EBT Cash.
For example, if you spend $10 in Florida SNAP EBT benefits, you will get $20 total to spend on healthy food at the farmer’s market.
Can you buy energy drinks with Florida EBT?
Yes, your Florida EBT Card can be used to purchase energy drinks that have a nutrition label. However, you cannot use your Florida SNAP EBT benefits to purchase any energy drink that has a supplement facts label.
That’s because the FDA classifies these items as supplements. Therefore, making them not eligible to be purchase with your EBT Card under the USDA’s food stamp rules.
Can I buy deli food with the Florida EBT Card?
No, you are not allowed to use your Florida SNAP EBT benefits to purchase any food that can be eaten at the premise or is served hot and prepared.
Therefore, when it comes to Deli foods, you cannot buy hot food from the deli or prepared foods like mac n cheese, chicken or sandwiches, stuff from the salad bar.
However, you can buy deli meats and cheeses, as well as cold uncooked items from the deli with your Florida SNAP EBT card. Just make sure that you take them home to prepare them.
Can you buy a birthday or Ice Cream cake with Florida EBT?
Yes, items such as birthday and other special occasion cakes are eligible for purchase with Florida food stamp benefits.
You will need to make sure that the value of the non-edible decorations does not exceed 50 percent of the purchase price of the cake.
This would make the item not eligible for purchase with your Florida EBT Card.
Florida EBT Card Help
We hope this article on whether or not you can buy dog food with your EBT Card was helpful to you! If you have any additional questions regarding your Florida EBT Card or the eligibility of food items, let us know in the comments section below!
Also, if you have more questions about what you can and cannot purchase with food stamps benefits in Florida, please leave them in the comments as well.
