Can you buy energy drinks with EBT? The answer is yes and no, depending on what brand you’re looking for. That’s because it depends on whether the product has a nutrition facts or supplement facts label.
What is EBT?
Strictly speaking, EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It’s not a program, but the means by which benefits from different programs are paid. You’ll usually get an EBT card if you receive benefits from programs like TANF and SNAP.
SNAP is the most common source of EBT funds. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It used to be called food stamps. The SNAP program helps low income Americans purchase food for their household.
Can you buy energy drinks with EBT?
Whether or not you can buy energy drinks with EBT depends on two things: the source of your EBT funds and the type of energy drinks that you want to buy.
First, let’s talk about the type of EBT funds you are using. Typically, EBT cash funds have a lot less restrictions than SNAP EBT funds. You can generally purchase any energy drinks with EBT cash. SNAP, on the other hand, is more specific.
Second, let’s talk about energy drinks. There are generally two types of energy drinks: the types that are classified as food and have nutrition facts labels, and the type that are classified as supplements and have supplement facts labels. It’s a small distinction for most consumers but it makes a big difference on your ability to shop with EBT.
You can purchase energy drinks with EBT as long as they have a nutrition facts label. This means they are considered a food item by the federal government. You cannot buy energy drinks that have a supplement facts label with EBT.
Which energy drinks can you buy with EBT?
Many of the top energy drink brands have nutrition facts labels and are therefore eligible for purchase with SNAP funds.
Here’s a list of EBT-eligible energy drink brands on Amazon:
- Amp
- Bang
- C4
- Celsius (some types only)
- Hiball
- Mio
- Monster
- Mountain Dew
- Optimum
- Red Bull
- Reign
- Rockstar
- Solimo (Amazon Brand)
- Sparkling Ice
- V8
- Zenify
- Zevia
Which energy drinks can’t be bought with EBT?
Unfortunately, there are still some great brands that are classified as supplements because they have a supplement facts label. These brands cannot be purchased with EBT benefits at this time.
- Alani Nu
- 5-Hour Energy
- CUT Energy
- EHPlabs
- FITAID
- Ghost Energy
- Jocko
- Jump Start
- MusclePharm
- Pureboost
- Zipfizz
- Zoa Energy
How do I buy energy drinks with EBT?
In order to buy energy drinks with EBT, you simply need to shop at a retailer that accepts EBT and select EBT as your payment method during checkout.
However, you need to understand that since energy drinks operate in a grey area, some users have reported difficulty buying eligible products at certain online retailers. For example, there are many eligible brands on Amazon that are not marked EBT-eligible in their system.
Where can I buy energy drinks with EBT?
You can buy energy drinks with EBT from any retailer that is set up to accept EBT benefits. Usually, stores that accept EBT will have a sign on their door indicating that they accept EBT.
This includes major grocery store and supermarket chains such as:
- Albertson’s
- Fred Meyer
- King Soopers
- Kroger
- Piggly Wiggly
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sprouts
- Target
- Walmart
- Winn-Dixie
- Whole Foods
- and more!
Most convenience stores and gas stations are also set up to process EBT transactions, including:
- 7-Eleven
- Chevron
- Circle K
- Exxon Mobile
- Flying J
- Kwik Trip
- Love’s
- Pilot
- and more!
Depending on where you live, there may be many places you can buy energy drinks with EBT!
FAQs about Buying Energy Drinks with EBT
Of course, we’ve received a lot of questions about this since our first YouTube video explained that this was possible. Here are some of the most common questions and answers.
Does EBT cover Celsius drinks?
Yes, many Celsius drinks are considered EBT-eligible. You can even buy them on Amazon!
Can you buy Bang Energy drinks with EBT?
Yes, many Bang energy drinks are considered EBT-eligible. You can even buy them on online at buywithfoodstamps.com.
Can I get in trouble for buying energy drinks with my EBT card?
I am not aware of any harm that can come from buying energy drinks with your EBT card, since they are deemed an EBT-eligible product by the USDA.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.