15 Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT on Amazon

You won’t believe these surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon! In this guide, we explore a range of products, from the ordinary to the astonishing, all marked SNAP EBT eligible. Let’s talk about what I bought, how I found it, and why it works. 

Before you start shopping, make sure to claim your 50% Amazon discount if you have SNAP benefits! You can get Amazon Access for half the price of Amazon Prime if you qualify for food stamps, Medicaid or another program. More details on that below.

Understanding Non-Food EBT Eligible Items on Amazon

Over the years, I’ve heard over and over again that there just isn’t that many SNAP eligible items on Amazon. So the other day, I decided to check it out and what I found, frankly, shocked me. 

I dug through HUNDREDS of pages of Amazon listings and discovered that there is actually a lot of really surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon… but not all of it makes sense. In fact, there are many non-food items that are marked EBT-eligible.

What does the law say about non-food items?

Strictly speaking, the USDA says you can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to buy “any food for the household,” but you cannot buy non-food items. You’re supposed to purchase food for human consumption only. 

The law states, “The term “food” means any food or food product for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, those foods which are identified on the package as being imported, and meat and meat products which are imported.”

Now, there are some loopholes that allow you to buy items that aren’t strictly food. As we covered in another post, you’re allowed to purchase seeds, produce-bearing plants, and even gift baskets when at least half the basket’s value comes from eligible food items.

That’s the rule: at least half the value of the non-food item must be from the food.

Why does Amazon have EBT-eligible non-food items?

The most surprising things you can buy on EBT on Amazon are usually the ones that have non-food elements. After all, we all know that food stamps is supposed to be used for groceries!

However, there are two reasons why Amazon lists EBT-eligible non-food items. Based on my research, it appears that most of them are legitimate and allowed under the law. However, there are also some glitches that are clearly not EBT-eligible.

Partial-Food Items

Many of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon are those that fall into a gray area. Since the USDA allows you to buy non-food items when at least 50% of the item’s value comes from food, there are many products like gift baskets and cake decorating supplies that fall into this zone.

It can be hard to determine exactly what percentage of a product’s value is derived from the food itself. This is something that the USDA acknowledges in their answer to this common question.

Most of the EBT-eligible non-food items on Amazon fall into this gray area. They contain at least some food but it’s not always clear whether the food value outweighs the non-food value in these products.

Glitches

That being said, there are also some items listed as EBT-eligible when they clearly should not be. These are listed as the result of glitches. With a retailer as big and complicated as Amazon, some glitches are inevitable.

I have spoken to Amazon about this before. In 2022, I spoke with a representative who told me that the food items in the “Grocery and Gourmet Food” category should be EBT-eligible. However, I have noticed that this category also includes some household items and sometimes they are marked EBT-eligible by mistake. For example, I found hair dye and non-food toys marked as EBT-eligible but clearly hair dye is not food.

I suspect that some of the items may have been classified using AI or inattentive humans. That’s because this cute Cotton Candy Color Mix Surprise slime toy used to be marked EBT eligible on Amazon. This is a toy and not food. However, it looks like food and the listing is littered with food keywords like “lollipop” and “cotton candy.” It’s only briefly mentioned in the fine print that this is a toy that should not be eaten. If Amazon is relying on AI to classify EBT-eligible items, this may have confused the algorithm into thinking it was food.

When Amazon discovers these glitches, they are usually fixed quickly. It’s important for Amazon to fix these problems quickly so that they don’t lose their ability to process SNAP payments.

Concerned users who identify a glitch can report it to Amazon through their chat support by selecting the option to report a suspicious product. This may help Amazon fix the problems faster.

Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT on Amazon

Now, all that being said, I’m going to list a few of the most interesting finds below. These aren’t always easy to find but they were all marked EBT-eligible at the time this post was updated.

I will NEVER encourage you to use your benefits illegally. I do NOT recommend buying items that are clearly ineligible with your food stamps.

Remember, these things frequently change (especially for items that fall into that gray area we discussed). These items may not be EBT-eligible at the time you are reading this. If you’re looking for an more recent list of surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon, be sure to check this link!

Now, without further ado, let’s go over the craziest EBT-eligible items I found on Amazon this month.

$423 Lobster & Steak Dinner for 2

This $423 lobster and steak dinner is easily one of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon! Priced at $423, this exquisite meal package is sure to raise some eyebrows.

This gourmet package includes 2 Fresh Maine Lobster Tails, 2 Filet Mignons, and 2 servings of New England Clam Chowder, promising a high-end dining experience. With minimal effort, you can put together a five-star meal bursting with flavor.

Most people don’t receive enough food stamps money to be able to consider an outrageously expensive purchase like this, so it’s not likely that many people are actually buying this with EBT.

$300 Gift Baskets

As I explained before, the USDA allows you to purchase gift baskets with SNAP EBT benefits as long as at least 50% of the value of the item is derived from the food that it contains.

As a result, Amazon has a TON of special gift crates that are marked EBT-eligible. Some include non-food items like baskets, floral arrangements, socks, and even a beautiful keepsake mahogany photo box. That definitely puts these among the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon!

Some of the most interesting finds are found inside these gift items, which are stuffed with a mix of food and non-food items.

• VIP Trunk by Gift Basket Village ($382) is a small trunk stuffed with treats like cookies, wafers, sausage, salmon, and popcorn.
• Home for the Holidays XXL by Gift Basket Village ($345) is a basket full of crackers, cheeses, biscotti and smoked meats. It also includes a basket.
• Christmas Block Party by Gift Basket Village ($325) is a woven basket full of crackers, cookies, taffy and candy. It includes a Christmas ornament as well.

Under $100 Gift Baskets

While those are outrageous and sure to turn heads, I think the more affordable gift baskets on Amazon are more practical for families shopping for special holiday treats. Here are some gift baskets that are under $100 but still contain special non-food items.

• Broadway Basketeers Photo Gift Box ($39) includes a photo box filled with treats.
• Dried Fruit and Nut Tray ($32) includes a variety of nuts, dried fruits and a serving tray.
• Dried Fruit and Gourmet Snacks Gift ($50) includes a bamboo cutting board, as well as nuts and dried fruit.

$76 Spice Rack

One of my favorite finds in the realm of surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon is the McCormick Gourmet Three Tier Wood 24 Piece Organic Spice Rack Organizer. This three-tier spice rack can be mounted to the wall and includes the 24 most-commonly purchased spices from McCormick.

At $76, it may seem a little expensive. However, my local grocer sells these same seasoning containers for more than $5 each. That means those same bottles would cost $120 from my local grocer without the spice rack!

While it may seem unconventional, the spice rack can be seen as a valuable addition to the kitchen. It allows you to easily experiment with flavors, making your meals more enjoyable and varied. Using a variety of spices can help you liven up cheap dishes like rice and pasta with new flavors, which could help you save money on your groceries overall.

$75 Long-Term Food Storage with 11 Meals

For low-income Americans looking to make wise use of their EBT cards, the Augason Farms Lunch and Dinner Variety Pail is a valuable and budget-friendly option. Priced at $75, this 4-gallon pail offers a substantial supply of emergency food that can be a lifeline during challenging times.

Inside this pail, you’ll find a diverse selection of 11 entrées and soups, including dessert options like chocolate pudding. With a total of 92 servings, 21,170 calories, and 557 grams of protein, it provides essential nutrition to help you and your family stay nourished in times of need.

The meals include:

• Hearty Vegetable Chicken Soup
• Creamy Chicken Rice
• Creamy Stroganoff
• Fettuccine Alfredo
• Italiano Marinara
• Chocolate Pudding
• Elbow Macaron
• Cheese Powder
• Creamy Potato Soup
• Cheesy Broccoli Rice
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Corn Chowder

This is actually a really affordable way to get some nutritious meals that are easy to prepare, so it may be worth considering even for non-emergency use. It’s surprisingly practical!

$28 Flowering Tea Set

For $28, the Numi Organic Tea Dancing Leaves Flowering Tea Gift Set includes a 16 ounce glass teapot and five tea blossoms. I don’t drink tea myself but I find this item fascinating. The blossoms are so beautiful!

What makes this product special is the visual and flavorful experience it offers. These teas are made by wrapping organic tea leaves around various flowers, and when you steep them in hot water, they bloom into beautiful shapes and flavors. You can watch your tea blossom when you pour hot water over it, and each Flowering Tea can be steeped multiple times.

It must be a popular purchase for EBT shoppers, because it was marked Amazon’s Choice for EBT Tea Gift Set.

$26 Vitamin C Packets

Most vitamin products are not EBT eligible, so I was surprised to see this pack of Super C Singles in the EBT-eligible list at Amazon. These packets contain 1000 mg of Vitamin C, as well as variety of other vitamins and electrolytes. Since this product has a nutrition facts label, it is in fact EBT eligible. You can pick up the 72 count box on Amazon for around $12. 

Since good health can help reduce a lot of overwhelming expenses, I think that this vitamin drink is one of the more useful things you can get. Since vitamins usually aren’t covered, it’s also one of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon too. Anything that helps you stay healthy is useful.

$25 Energy Drinks

The nutrition facts and supplement facts labels are also significant to the next item on our list: energy drinks. Depending on the type of energy drink you prefer, it may or may not be able to be purchased with food stamps. It depends on which type of label it has.

Some brands, including Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar and Bang, are EBT-eligible on Amazon. Packaged Starbucks drinks are also EBT-eligible.

The price depends on which brand and flavor you like, but most were around $20 per case.

$20 Kinder Joy Eggs

Kinder Joy eggs are somewhat controversial when it comes to EBT. Are they food or a toy?

Most of the time, it depends on where you’re shopping. Since this is one of those gray areas that we talked about earlier, some stores mark them as EBT eligible and others don’t. On Amazon, this $20 pack of 15 Kinder Joy eggs was marked EBT-eligible. 

Depending on where you live and how your local markets normally classify this treat, this may be one of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon!

$15 Candy Science Kits

The Thames & Kosmos Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab, priced at $15, is a delightful STEM experiment kit that lets you create your own tasty and playful gummy candies. With this kit, you can make gummies in the shapes of unicorns, clouds, and rainbow. This is a fun and colorful twist for kids!

Candy science kits like this are an affordable and entertaining kit that lets you make your own gummy candies in whimsical shapes and vibrant colors. It’s a sweet science experiment that’s perfect for anyone who enjoys hands-on learning and tasty treats.

Gumball Coin Bank – $15

On a more fun note, my kids are super excited about this gumball coin bank. The USDA has said that certain non-food items can be purchased with food stamps if at least half the value of the item comes from the food it contains, so I assume that’s why this gumball bank was marked EBT eligible. 

$10 Cocktail Mixes

Another surprising thing I found on Amazon was non-alcoholic beer and cocktail mixes. The USDA specifically prohibits food stamps from being used to purchase alcohol. However, non-alcoholic beer and cocktail mixes do not contain alcohol.

• Amoretti Premium Martini Cocktail Mix Minis ($9) come in a variety of flavors including pineapple, lemon, and blackberry.
• Amoretti Premium Martini Cocktail Mix ($9) comes in a larger 28-ounce bottle.
• .
• This non-alcoholic beer was previously listed as EBT-eligible as well.

These items can be used to create non-alcoholic mocktails, used as fruit dips, dessert toppings, or added to iced tea or lemonade as well.

Zollipops Anticavity Prevention – $5

I’ve been making too many trips to the dentist lately, so I’m fascinated by these $4 Zollipops. They claim to be anticavity candy. Anticavity candy… isn’t that impossible?

Anyway, this company claims that the smile-friendly natural ingredients are actually good for your teeth and prevent cavities. The lollipops come in six flavors: Strawberry, grape, orange, raspberry, pineapple and cherry. Since they’re technically food, they’re EBT eligible! 

If they work, I think this is one of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon because it can help keep your dental costs down. Unexpected dental bills can destroy a low income budget, so cheap prevention is very helpful.

Weight Loss Products

Amazon has a great selection of EBT-eligible weight loss products. These products are usually considered meal replacements or nutritional supplements, which is why they are EBT eligible at Amazon and most other retailers as well. 

The average price for these products was around $20, although some were as low as $10 and some were $40 or more.

Decorating Supplies

My daughter is really into baking and decorating lately, so she’s always looking for new tools and supplies to practice her skills. I’m sure she’s not the only one, so I was really excited when I spotted a 15-piece sugar cookie decorating kit that was was marked EBT-eligible.

At $29, the set includes a cookie tool set, icing bottle, icing colors and meringue powder. I actually took the time to price out the items individually and it was very clear that the edible components – the food coloring and meringue powder – were worth at least half the value of the set, so it does appear that this should be a legitimate EBT purchase. 

It’s worth noting that some cake decorating items, such as cake mixes and frosting, are always counted as eligible food items. This means that you can use your EBT benefits to purchase these fundamental components for your baking and cake decorating endeavors. If you’re looking for a non-eligible item like a piping bag or cake pan, you’ll need to find it bundled with an even more valuable amount of food in order for those items to be covered by EBT.

More Surprising Things You Can Buy with EBT on Amazon

We have even more amazing things you can buy with your food stamps card in our Amazon affiliate store!

If you’re going to spend your EBT benefits on Amazon, don’t forget that you can get Amazon Prime for just $6.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month! They’ve even expanded the number of qualifying programs, so that you can get this discount if you get WIC, TANF or TTANF, SSI, NSLP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, EIP Cards and more.

Previous EBT Surprises on Amazon

Over the years, I’ve found some really surprising things you could buy with EBT on Amazon. These items were usually glitches and have since been corrected, so you can no longer purchase them with SNAP EBT benefits. However, I have been asked about them many times so I have decided to keep them in this post.

$1,000 Caviar

The most expensive EBT-eligible item I have found on Amazon was a single pound of Kaluga Caviar, which was selling for $1,031.59 in May 2022.

$210 Coffee Maker

When you’re looking for surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon, you’re bound to see a lot of posts about the Breville Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine. This was sold as a SNAP EBT eligible product on Amazon a few years ago.

The coffee maker is sold with several sample coffees and espresso capsules, so it does technically include food items. It has continued to pop up as EBT-eligible occasionally but it shouldn’t be, because the coffee maker is clearly worth more than the food items it contains.

I did not buy this item but I have seen many, many posts on social media from people who did successfully purchase this with EBT. 

Chia Pets

This one surprised me! I mean, I know you can buy seeds and produce-bearing plants with EBT but… chia pets? I never really thought about them as edible before but this $20 Chia Pet Troll was marked EBT-eligible on Amazon.

This was one of the most surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon at first (at least to me), but I think it’s because chia seeds and sprouts are allegedly edible.

Truth or Dab Game

Some games have food elements, like this Truth or Dab hot sauce game that used to be marked EBT-eligible. It is unclear if the hot sauce was more valuable than the rest of the game components.

Other Past Glitches

There are more items that used to be marked EBT-eligible on Amazon as well. However, these items were not eligible for purchase with food stamps and it should not have been possible to buy them.

• Cerave lotion
• Color Mix Slime
• Cadet Gourmet Twist Dog Treats
• Listerine Pocketmist
• Queasy Drops

How to Buy with EBT on Amazon

You might be amazed by the surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon, from nutritious groceries to essential household items. Before you can buy them, though, you’ll need to add your SNAP card to your account.

Step 1: Claim Your Discount

For years, I’ve been telling low income Americans that they can qualify for a HUGE discount on Amazon Prime if you have EBT or Medicaid. And it’s still true – if you participate in an eligible program, you can get Amazon Prime for just $6.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month!

You can get the Amazon Access discount if you receive any of the following:

• SNAP (or NAP in Puerto Rico)
• WIC
• TANF or TTANF
• SSI
• Free or Reduced-Price school meals through the National School Lunch Program
• Medicaid
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits
• Direct Express Prepaid Debit Cards

If you receive benefits from any of these programs, you just need to visit the Amazon Access page to claim your discount.

Step 2: Add Your SNAP Card

Once you claim your discount, you just need to add your EBT card as a payment method. This can be done easily on the Amazon SNAP page. Just follow the prompts to enter your card number and PIN.

Be careful! Make sure that you are using a secure internet connection when you do this. A lot of EBT shoppers have lost their benefits to theft in recent years, so you need to make sure that nobody else can see that information as you enter it into the Amazon system.

Step 3: Find EBT-Eligible Items

Since they started accepting EBT years ago, Amazon has also expanded their offerings to include thousands of products that are hard to find anywhere else, including EBT-eligible seeds and plants!

Of course, we’re always looking for more surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon so be sure to check back here occasionally for updates!

Relief Recap

There are many surprising things you can buy with EBT on Amazon! These products range from expensive lobster meals and elaborate gift baskets to simple things like anticavity candy. Some of these products make great gifts for your children or household members! In this article, we’ve provided a list of unexpected products that are currently SNAP EBT eligible. We’ve also discussed why some non-food items are listed as EBT-eligible and how you can save money when you shop.

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.