This article is very misleading. The food portion of the money on an ebt card cannot purchase the following: hot food of any kind, laundry detergent, soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper plates.
The food portion, or credits, can purchase soda, candy, cheese doodles, ringdings, twinkies.
This doesn’t make sense to me -
There is also a small cash allotment that could theoretically be used at a fried chicken place, but it would be used up after four or five meals.
It is my understanding that what can and cannot be purchased with food stamps is determined by the state overseeing it. This includes things like Slimfast and Ensure (vary by states), etc. Some states allow you to buy things at restaurants, some do not. While you aren’t supposed to be able to buy “hot foods,” according to the government site:
“In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.” I believe that this too, varies by the state’s rules.
Here’s a link to the eligible food item site. It doesn’t mention states variations, but if you do a internet search, you’ll find that different states DO allow different items.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm
I hope that clears that up.