Can You Buy Tea Bags With EBT?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, offers low-income families access to food stamps for purchasing groceries. Those allocated benefits with an EBT card can purchase food items only, and not other items such as cleaning supplies or pet food. Does this mean you can’t buy tea bags with EBT? Read on to find out.
Who Accepts EBT for Tea Bags?
Unfortunately, tea bags are generally considered a non-food item and cannot be purchased using EBT benefits. To be eligible for EBT purchases, groceries must be able to be eaten directly, or prepared and then eaten. Exceptions to the rule include seafood, meats, dairy items, breads, and snacks.
Ways to Get Around This
Fortunately, there are some ways to acquire tea bags with EBT. To get around the restriction, shops such as Walmart and Meijer are allowing EBT users to purchase stacks of hot tea, instant coffee, and coffee substitutes with an EBT card. These beverages contain tea bags that can be used for later. Alternatively, you can purchase teas online with EBT.
Types of Tea You Can Buy With EBT
If you have access to one of the few retailers that accept EBT to purchase tea bags, there are still a few types of tea you can choose from. Here are some of the tea varieties that can be purchased:
- Green Tea: Green tea is renowned for its health benefits. It contains antioxidants and is said to have numerous health benefits, such as improving mental alertness, reducing cholesterol, and helping to prevent certain types of cancer.
- Black Tea: Black tea, also called “English tea,” is a bolder, more flavorful tea. It contains caffeine, so it can help give you an energy boost. It’s also said to help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease, and may help protect against cirrhosis of the liver and ovarian cancer.
- Herbal Teas: Herbal teas are caffeine-free, and made from different fruits, herbs, and spices. They are primarily served as a health treatment, as they are believed to have a plethora of natural healing properties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, EBT users cannot purchase tea bags directly with EBT, as it is considered a non-food item. However, there are some retailers that are allowing EBT users to purchase tea bags indirectly, such as by buying instant coffee, hot tea, and coffee substitutes. Additionally, it is possible to buy teas online with EBT.
