Can you use a benefits card for anything?
Asked by: Alejandra Leannon | Last update: August 4, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)
What can I spend my benefits card on?
Participants may use the benefits card to pay a hospital, doctor, dentist, or vision provider that accepts benefit cards. Auto-substantiation technology electronically verifies the transaction's eligibility according to IRS rules. If the transaction cannot be auto substantiated, paper follow-up will be required.
Can I use my benefits card anywhere?
The Benefits Card enables you to use the card at eligible locations wherever Mastercard is accepted, such as physician and dental offices, pharmacies, and vision service locations.
What can I buy with my health benefits card?
- OTC Medications. Vitamins & supplements. Pain relievers. Allergy, cough & cold. OTC hearing aids.
- Personal Care. Oral health. Incontinence products. Sun & skin care. ...
- Grocery. Fresh fruit & vegetables. Dairy, meat, poultry & fish. Frozen foods. ...
- Maternity. Diapers. Baby formula. Baby wipes.
What can't you buy with a healthy benefits card?
- Non-food items.
- Alcohol or nicotine products.
- Pet food.
- Candy or desserts.
- Chips.
- Fresh baked goods.
- Soda.
- Prescriptions.
Why You Should Buy Everything With Credit Cards
Can I use my Healthy Benefits card for gas?
This allowance can be used for Over-the Counter (OTC) Items, groceries, home utilities and gas at the pump.
Can I buy shampoo with my Healthy Benefits card?
OTC items are not eligible for reimbursement if they are normally used for general health, are not used to treat a medical condition (e.g. toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, shampoo) or are cosmetic in nature (e.g. teeth whitening products, wrinkle reducers). See additional examples in the OTC Chart.
What is covered under a healthy benefits card?
Consumers can spend their benefits on various health-related products and services depending on the program. Examples can include over-the-counter items, select groceries, medical devices, counseling services, nutrition education, fitness equipment, pet food, household supplies, gas, transportation, utilities, etc.
Why won't my Healthy Benefits card work at Walmart?
The benefits card has been used before the 24-hour waiting period after activation is over. The participant has insufficient funds in the benefit account to cover the expense. Non-eligible expenses have been included at the point of sale. (Retry the transaction with the eligible expense only.)
Can you buy candy with Healthy Benefits card?
"You can use your benefits to purchase OTC products including allergy medication, cough drops, first aid supplies, oral care, pain relievers, vitamins, and more," reads the Health Benefits website. Certain items such as soda, candy, chips, and other junk foods are usually not eligible for purchase with the card.
Can you take money out of a benefits card?
You can use your EBT Card wherever you see the Quest mark throughout California and across the country. An ATM is a cash machine found at banks, stores and many other places that allows you to get your cash benefits.
Why can't you buy hot food with EBT?
Heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods are not considered staple foods, and are not counted when determining if a firm meets Criterion A or Criterion B to be eligible to participate in SNAP as an authorized retail food store.
Can I use my benefits card at Walmart?
Please note: Your Benefits Prepaid Card is not accepted at online retailers like Walmart.com, but in-store purchases are accepted.
What groceries can you buy with an OTC card?
Examples of approved food items are fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, rice, pasta, beans, and much more.
What is the purpose of a benefits card?
Instead of getting checks, recipients receive a type of prepaid card called a government benefit card. Each month the benefit amount is loaded onto the card. The federal government uses prepaid cards to pay certain federal benefits, such as veterans' benefits or Social Security benefits.
Can I use my benefits card at Target?
You can use your SNAP EBT balance for any SNAP-eligible items. After that, you'll be able to use another tender to pay for any remaining items that are not SNAP-eligible.
Can you buy groceries with Healthy Benefits card?
Healthy benefits are increasingly being made available through health care providers, technology companies, employers, government agencies, and more. Many of these distributors offer benefits through cards that function like prepaid debit cards, allowing purchases of select grocery items or wellness products.
Can I withdraw money from my Healthy Benefits card?
You can't use your Benefits Card at an ATM machine or to get cash back when making a purchase at a store. If you are also buying non-eligible items, the terminal or clerk will ask you for another form of payment. Then just pay with another card, cash or check as you'd normally do.
What is the monthly benefit card?
The Direct Express® card is a debit card you can use to access your benefits and you don't need a bank account. With the Direct Express® card program, your federal benefit payment directly deposits into your card account. Your monthly benefits will be available on your payment day—on time, every time.
Can I use a healthy benefits card for gas?
No. The Prepaid Benefits Card is a special-purpose MasterCard Card or Visa Card that can be used only for eligible health care/benefits expenses. It cannot be used, for instance, at gas stations or restaurants.
Can I buy toilet paper with my OTC card?
OTC items are not eligible if they are normally used for general health, are not used to treat a medical condition (e.g. lotion, shampoo (except for products used to treat dandruff), toilet paper, lip balm) or are cosmetic in nature (e.g. teeth whitening products, wrinkle reducers).
Can I use my Healthy Benefits card at Dollar General?
Dollar General now accepts health supplemental benefits.
Can I buy soda with a healthy benefits card?
Items that do not qualify include non-food and pet items, alcohol, baby formula, candy, chips, coffee shop items, desserts, fresh baked goods, soda, and tobacco. To check if an item is approved, members can download the Healthy Benefits Plus app, scan the product and it will advise if item is allowable.
Can you give me a list of healthy food?
- Fish. ...
- Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
- Beets. ...
- Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
- Kale. ...
- Peanut butter. ...
- Almonds. ...
- Mangos.
Can you buy ice cream with your healthy food card?
Can I buy ice cream with my Healthy Foods card? No, ice cream isn't usually permitted with the Healthy Benefits Plus Program.