First time with food stamps
February 13, 2009 5:35 PM Subscribe
What can I buy with food stamps (in Arizona)?
I just got food stamps for the first time and I want to know what I can buy with them and not before I go to the store. I'm in Arizona if that makes a difference. For people who have had food stamps were you surprised by anything you couldn't buy? I've read some rules for it on the internet but they aren't specific at all.
I just got food stamps for the first time and I want to know what I can buy with them and not before I go to the store. I'm in Arizona if that makes a difference. For people who have had food stamps were you surprised by anything you couldn't buy? I've read some rules for it on the internet but they aren't specific at all.
I've never had food stamps, but my mom is the director of food stamp services in my home county (not in AZ), so I've asked a lot of questions about it. The most surprising thing for me was that you can't buy toilet paper with them (or paper plates or napkins or anything non-food with them). You would think any obvious personal supplies would be covered, but it's just food. Obviously nothing like cigarettes or alcohol, as phredgreen's links state.
posted by parkerjackson at 6:14 PM on February 13, 2009
posted by parkerjackson at 6:14 PM on February 13, 2009
Stores here say next to the price if the product is food stampable. I think most everything (foodwise) that isn't sold warm is buyable with food stamps.
posted by thylacine at 6:19 PM on February 13, 2009
posted by thylacine at 6:19 PM on February 13, 2009
Best answer: I'm in Wisconsin, but work with a significant number of people on food stamps. That first article that phredgreen posted pretty much nails most of the rules we have here. Some interesting things my clients have mentioned:
The prepared food definition is what's tricky. If the item is hot, or comes from somewhere close to the hot case in the deli, its a no-go. Even if it is a family size rotisserie chicken or something. The salad bar is typically a no-go, prepared sandwiches are a no-go. Basically, if you are in the physical vicinity of the deli, check to make sure the item does not have a upc that was printed in the deli (so where I'm from, if there's a sticker that was printed in the store on it, its probably "prepared food" and thus out) Sometimes the store will have a mix of fruit in a cup, or a package of carrots and dip that are all made up by deli staff. Those are not ok. The bag of baby carrots and the separate container of dip are.
Gum=not food. Breath mints are though.
Also, note the toiletries, soap and paper products-people often forget they have those in their carts. Most of my people who have discussed this with me mention the virtues of the grocery store "self-checkout" so it isn't so conspicuous to ring up your things separately or if you are wrong and something isn't covered. Obviously all of this could be entirely different in Arizona
posted by mjcon at 6:20 PM on February 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
The prepared food definition is what's tricky. If the item is hot, or comes from somewhere close to the hot case in the deli, its a no-go. Even if it is a family size rotisserie chicken or something. The salad bar is typically a no-go, prepared sandwiches are a no-go. Basically, if you are in the physical vicinity of the deli, check to make sure the item does not have a upc that was printed in the deli (so where I'm from, if there's a sticker that was printed in the store on it, its probably "prepared food" and thus out) Sometimes the store will have a mix of fruit in a cup, or a package of carrots and dip that are all made up by deli staff. Those are not ok. The bag of baby carrots and the separate container of dip are.
Gum=not food. Breath mints are though.
Also, note the toiletries, soap and paper products-people often forget they have those in their carts. Most of my people who have discussed this with me mention the virtues of the grocery store "self-checkout" so it isn't so conspicuous to ring up your things separately or if you are wrong and something isn't covered. Obviously all of this could be entirely different in Arizona
posted by mjcon at 6:20 PM on February 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
I believe you can purchase food, at a discount, at the food bank in Phoenix. A good way to stretch your $.
posted by zerobyproxy at 7:04 PM on February 13, 2009
posted by zerobyproxy at 7:04 PM on February 13, 2009
In Oklahoma at least, you can buy a fountain drink at a convenience store UNLESS you put the straw in it. Then it is considered food ready-to-eat.
posted by idiotfactory at 8:40 PM on February 13, 2009
posted by idiotfactory at 8:40 PM on February 13, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Here is info from the horse's mouth.
posted by phredgreen at 5:39 PM on February 13, 2009