You can on the same transaction in Idaho. The food stamp card covers the food portion at the register, the difference have to pay in cash or other method. Wasn’t saying the food stamps paid for the smokes and booze directly. Indirectly though for sure it does.
Background. Working in PA retail for 10+ years ...
Let me explain PA's system.
In PA, food stamps and cash assistance go on the same card ... the EBT card ...
Food Stamps are issued to some people, and cash assistance and food stamps are issued to others ...
Food Stamps are electronically controlled, and are set up in retailers computer systems to only be used as currency for FOOD items, so you can not purchase paper goods, hot prepared food, etc... on Food Stamps.
The remainder of your bill at a store which isn't covered by food stamps is the difference that must be paid by you with some sort of form of currency (duh)...
Some people get cash assistance, which can be used at most of the same stores that Food Stamps are accepted. You can use the EBT card like a credit card to purchase items with the cash assistance, or the cash can be taken out of almost any ATM and spent via the good old fashion money transaction.
Cash assistance can be used to purchase anything you can buy with cash.
A retailer can not refuse to sell someone an item, so most people can buy anything they wish with their cash assistance ...
Regardless, in PA, if you are given food stamps, you can not purchase anything other than food. There is no physical way around it.
Some other random pieces of info ...