How to Use SNAP EBT Benefits (And How Purple Can Help)
- Purple
- Aug 23
- 2 min read
If you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you’ll receive a special debit card called an EBT card. It’s how you access your food benefits—and it’s accepted at millions of grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers across the country.
In this post, we’ll cover:
What SNAP and EBT are
How to use your EBT card
Where you can shop with EBT
What you can and can’t buy
How to check your EBT balance
How Purple makes managing EBT easier
1. What Is SNAP and What Does EBT Mean?
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—a government benefit that helps people afford food.
Once you’re approved for SNAP, your benefits are delivered through a card called an EBT card, which stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It works like a debit card but is only for eligible food purchases.
2. How to Use Your EBT Card
You’ll receive your EBT card by mail after being approved for SNAP. To use it:
Set your PIN when your card arrives
Shop at participating retailers
Swipe your card at checkout like a debit card
Choose “EBT” and enter your PIN
The system will subtract eligible food purchases from your balance
You can also split payments—paying for SNAP-eligible items with EBT, and the rest with another payment method.
3. Where Can You Use SNAP EBT?
You can use your EBT card at:
Most major grocery stores (Walmart, Target, Kroger, etc.)
Local supermarkets and corner stores
Farmers markets that accept EBT
Online retailers like Amazon and Walmart (for groceries)
Some delivery apps in certain states (e.g., Instacart, FreshDirect)
Look for signs that say “We Accept EBT” at the register or store window.
4. What Can You Buy with EBT?
SNAP benefits can be used for food items only. That includes:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Bread and cereals
Dairy products
Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
Seeds and plants that produce food
You can’t use EBT to buy:
Alcohol or tobacco
Hot prepared foods (unless your state has an exception)
Vitamins or supplements
Pet food, cleaning products, or cosmetics
5. How to Check Your EBT Balance
You can check your EBT balance by:
Looking at your last receipt
Logging into your state’s EBT website
Calling the number on the back of your card
Using your state’s EBT app (some states support apps like ConnectEBT)
Knowing your balance helps avoid declined transactions and lets you plan your grocery trips more confidently.
6. How Purple Helps You Manage EBT and More
Purple is a modern banking app built for people who receive benefits like SNAP, SSI, and SSDI. We make it easy to keep everything in one place—including your EBT info.
With Purple, you can:
Link your EBT card and track balances from the app
See your SNAP and checking balances side by side
Get alerts when your monthly benefits arrive
Store receipts and documents for caseworker meetings
Access a dedicated support team that understands disability and benefits
Whether you’re managing SNAP for yourself or your family, Purple helps you stay organized, informed, and in control.