Sometimes we may need to use food stamps to get us by. In times of stress and difficulty, it may be a great idea to at least be able to get a cup of coffee or two to relax and recollect our thoughts.
However, can you get coffee with food stamp programs such as EBT? If yes, what kind of coffee can you get? Can you buy ground coffee with EBT?
You can buy ground coffee from EBT. The program allows you to purchase all types of coffee, such as instant coffee or coffee grounds. You can also buy pre-made, cold coffee, such as canned coffee. However, you cannot buy hot coffee with EBT.
This article discusses if you can buy ground coffee with EBT. We also investigate if you can buy coffee flavorings such as EBT or creamers.
What Is EBT?
EBT is the Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is a US government program to help low-income households to purchase food. It may also be described as ‘Food Stamps’ or ‘SNAP’ (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). EBT is credited each month and only can be used to buy food.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is a government program in the United States that helps low-income households purchase food.
It is the electronic version of the Food Stamps. It may also be mentioned in its full name, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Every month, the benefits are loaded onto the EBT card. You can purchase food in participating grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets. How much you receive in your EBT depends on your household’s size and income levels.
You can only purchase food with EBT, not other things such as cleaners or household supplies. You also cannot purchase cigarettes and alcohol with EBT. The type of food you may purchase may also have limitations. For example, you may have issues buying food in restaurants.
QUICK TIP: EBT can only be used to buy food. You cannot buy tobacco, alcohol, or non-food household products.
EBT is a critical service that supports millions of low-income households across the United States. It also benefits businesses that participated in the program.
Can You Buy Ground Coffee With EBT?
You can buy ground coffee with EBT. You can also buy instant coffee with EBT and any coffee you have to make yourself. Pre-made cold coffee is also purchasable, but only cold ones. You cannot purchase pre-made hot coffee, such as those from Starbucks.
| Coffee Types | Examples | Purchasable with EBT? |
| Coffee beans and grounds | Coffee beansCoffee grounds | Yes |
| Instant coffee | NescafeFolgers | Yes |
| Coffee bags | Steeped coffee bagsDrip coffee bags | Yes |
| Cold, pre-made coffee | Canned coffee from shops | Yes |
| Hot, pre-made coffee | Latte from StarbucksHot coffee from farmer’s market | No |
In general, you can purchase ground coffee with EBT. In fact, you can purchase most types of coffee using your EBT funds.
However, since this is a government program, the benefit comes with its own quirky limitations.
If you look at SNAP’s official website, they have listed down the food types you cannot buy with EBT:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements.
- Most live animals
- Food items that are hot at the point of sale
- Any non-food items, including pet food.
Most of the points do not concern us about coffee, except the fourth point.
QUICK TIP: EBT does not allow you to buy hot food at the point of sale. This means no hot coffee.
If you translate that understanding to the types of coffee you can buy, you can buy any coffee that is at room temperature or cold. Now let’s look at the common coffees you may see and decide which ones may be purchasable with EBT:
- Coffee Grounds and Beans: This should be ok since it is not sold hot.
- Instant Coffee: Not all of us like grounds and just want a quick one to go. In this case, your EBT credits should get you your jars of Nescafe or Folgers. They are sold dry and at room temperature too.
- Coffee Bags: Coffee bags are also commonly sold at room temperature and dry. This means your EBT money should get you there with no issues.
- Cold, Pre-made Coffee: Pre-made coffee means that the coffee is brewed, and made ready for you to drink directly.
The general rule is if the pre-made coffee is served to you cold, you should be able to buy it with EBT.
This means your common cold, canned coffee from the supermarket should pass. However, you may be unable to purchase cold, pre-made drinks everywhere, as not all restaurants and cafes participate in EBT. For example, not all Starbucks take EBT.
Hot, Pre-made Coffee: EBT does not allow you to purchase any food or drink that is hot at the point of sale. This means hot coffee is definitely out. You cannot buy hot coffee from anywhere, even if they participate in EBT. You have to make them yourself at home.
Can You Buy Coffee Creamer With EBT?
You should be able to buy coffee creamer with EBT. This is because coffee creamer is not hot at the point of sale and is considered a type of food. You should be able to purchase liquid or powdered creamer.
For many, coffee is not complete with some creamer in it. It smoothens the coffee and helps it to taste more hearty and satisfying.
If you currently survive on EBT, you can thank your lucky stars, as EBT allows you to purchase coffee creamer. All forms of coffee creamer should be ok, be it in powder or liquid form.
This is because coffee creamers are seen as food for which the EBT program is designed to help you buy them. Plus, coffee creamer is usually at room temperature at the point of sale, meaning it does follow EBT’s requirements on what you can purchase with it.
Hey Ruud, thanks for the info. Quick q, do you know if there’s a limit on how much coffee or creamer we can buy with EBT? My mornings literally survive on coffee lol.
As far as I know, there’s no specific limit on coffee or creamer with EBT, just watch your total benefit amount.
Yep, no limits on items, just the total spend. Enjoy your coffee!
lol, now we’re buying coffee with government money. what’s next
Interesting article, Ruud. I was under the impression only essentials could be purchased with EBT. With obesity being a topic of concern, I wonder if there should be more guidelines on what is considered ‘food’. That being said, coffee and creamer in moderation can be part of a balanced diet. Thoughts?
everyone’s MISSING the point. it’s not about coffee or creamer. it’s about CONTROL. why do you think they allow this? wake UP people
This is great to know! I volunteer at a local food pantry and often get questions about EBT. Now I can share that yes, ground coffee and creamer are on the list. It’s really about making sure everyone has access to the same comforts and essentials. Thanks for the clarity, Ruud!