The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as EBT or food stamps, does not provide extra benefits or special allowances for people who follow medically required or specialized diets.
Of course, you can use SNAP benefits to buy foods that fit your diet (like low-sodium canned goods, gluten-free pasta, or lactose-free milk) but your benefit amount stays the same as everyone else’s.
What SNAP Does Cover
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase most food items meant for home preparation, including:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meats, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products and non-dairy alternatives
- Breads, cereals, and grains
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food
You can use your EBT card for specialty diet products (such as gluten-free flour or low-sodium soups) if they fall under the above categories. However, SNAP cannot be used for:
- Hot foods or restaurant meals (unless your state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program)
- Vitamins or supplements
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies or toiletries
Why You Don’t Get Extra Benefits for a Special Diet
SNAP benefit amounts are calculated based on your household size, income, and expenses – not medical or dietary needs. While some elderly or disabled participants can deduct certain medical expenses when qualifying for SNAP, the cost of a special diet does not count as a deductible expense under federal rules.
This means that even if your doctor prescribes a low-sodium or gluten-free diet, your EBT benefits will not increase to reflect those added food costs.
What About Medical Expense Deductions?
If someone in your household is elderly or disabled, you may be able to qualify for extra SNAP benefits by claiming out-of-pocket medical expenses. But it’s important to know what counts—and what doesn’t.
Special diets are not considered an allowable medical expense, even if they’re prescribed by a doctor or licensed health professional. That includes diets for diabetes, liquid nutrition, allergy-free foods, religious diets, and more. If the food can be purchased with SNAP, it cannot be deducted as a medical expense.
The USDA says to check the label to determine eligibility. Items with a Nutrition Facts label are generally SNAP-eligible and not deductible. Items with a Supplement Facts label are not eligible for purchase with EBT, but still won’t count as a deductible medical expense if they fall under a special diet category.
Some over-the-counter items may qualify if they are:
- Prescribed or approved by a licensed health professional,
- Not purchasable with SNAP benefits, and
- Not considered part of a special diet.
You can read more about this in the USDA’s Guide to the Treatment of Medical Expenses for Elderly or Disabled Household Members.
Programs That Might Help with Special Diet Costs
Even though EBT doesn’t increase benefits for dietary needs, there are other ways to stretch your food budget or find diet-friendly resources:
Healthy Incentives Programs
Some states offer SNAP Healthy Incentives or “Double Up Food Bucks,” which give you extra funds when you buy fruits and vegetables with your EBT card. This can help offset costs for people on heart-healthy or low-sodium diets.
Food Pantries with Special Diet Options
Many community food banks now stock gluten-free, low-sodium, or diabetic-friendly items. Check your local United Way 211 or Feeding America network for listings near you.
Condition-Specific Nonprofits
Certain nonprofits help people with specific medical diets:
- Celiac Disease Foundation – offers resources and occasional grants for gluten-free food access.
- National Kidney Foundation – may connect patients to renal diet meal support.
- American Heart Association – lists low-sodium pantry and meal assistance partners.
Local Medicaid or Health Department Programs
Some states have pilot or supplemental programs under Medicaid or local public health departments that offer medically tailored meals (like for diabetes, heart failure, or renal diets). These are usually separate from SNAP and may require a doctor’s referral.
Tips for Stretching Your EBT on a Special Diet
Following a medical or restrictive diet can be expensive, but a few strategies can help make your SNAP benefits go further:
- Focus on whole foods. Unprocessed items like beans, rice, oats, frozen vegetables, eggs, and lean meats are naturally gluten-free, low-sodium, and far cheaper than specialty packaged goods.
- Cook from scratch when possible. Preparing meals yourself allows you to control what goes in it. You can reduce salt, sugar, and additives to fit your diet.
- Buy store brands and shop sales. Generic versions of gluten-free flours or low-sodium canned goods are often much cheaper and still SNAP-eligible.
- Compare unit prices. Check the price per ounce or pound on shelf labels. Bigger packages can save money if you have space to store extras.
- Shop at farmers markets. Many accept EBT and double your dollars through programs like Double Up Food Bucks, making fresh produce more affordable.
- Plan meals ahead. Build your weekly plan around what’s on sale or in season. This helps minimize waste and stretch your benefits.
- Use community resources. Food banks, pantries, and some nonprofits stock gluten-free or heart-healthy items for clients with special dietary needs. Ask if they have a “special diet” section.
Relief Recap
SNAP/EBT does not provide extra money for people with special diets, even if medically necessary. You can buy diet-appropriate foods using your regular benefits, but your monthly allotment will not increase.
To manage special diet costs, look into local food pantries, produce incentive programs, or disease-specific nonprofits that support medically tailored meal assistance. With a little planning, it’s possible to eat well and stay within your EBT budget, even on a special diet.
Note: What you buy with SNAP can change at any time depending on what state you live in. Many changes to SNAP are happening really quickly right now so always check back in with us!