Can I Buy Soda with My Healthy Benefits Card? A Complete Guide to Eligibility

January 2, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, sweetened beverages, which include most sodas, provide minimal nutritional value and contribute to excess calories. For this reason, and as a general rule, you cannot use your Healthy Benefits card to purchase soda, as these benefit programs are designed to cover healthy food options and approved over-the-counter (OTC) products.

Quick Summary

Healthy Benefits cards do not cover soda because they are intended for nutritious foods and approved over-the-counter items that support overall health and wellness. The card typically covers things like fresh produce, milk, and certain OTC medicines, with specific item eligibility depending on your health plan. Ineligible purchases include sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco.

Key Points

Soda is not covered: Most Healthy Benefits cards do not allow the purchase of soda or other sugary drinks because they lack nutritional value and do not align with wellness goals.
Card purpose: These cards are designed to encourage healthy spending by covering nutritionally beneficial food and approved over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Eligible beverages: Covered beverages typically include plain water, milk, and certain unsweetened juices, prioritizing hydration and nutrition.
Other covered items: The card often covers a wider range of items, such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, and OTC medications like pain relievers and vitamins.
Check eligibility: Because coverage varies by plan, you should always check the online portal, mobile app, or contact customer service to confirm if a specific item is eligible for purchase.
Plan-specific rules: Benefit eligibility is determined by your specific health plan, so what is covered for one cardholder might differ from another, especially for food-related benefits.

Understanding Your Healthy Benefits Card

Your Healthy Benefits card is a specific type of prepaid benefit card provided by certain health insurance plans, often managed by companies like Optum Financial, Inc.. The card provides a set allowance to purchase approved health-related goods. This is different from federal programs like SNAP, though some restrictions are similar. For example, states like Texas and Colorado have recently placed waivers to restrict the use of SNAP funds for soda purchases. The core purpose of your Healthy Benefits card is to direct funds toward items that improve your health and well-being, which is why soda is typically excluded.

Why is Soda Ineligible for Purchase?

The primary reason you cannot purchase soda with your Healthy Benefits card is that it does not align with the card's wellness goals. Sweetened drinks and sugary beverages are not considered nutritionally beneficial and are often associated with negative health outcomes when consumed excessively. Programs that administer these cards often follow nutritional guidelines to ensure that taxpayer dollars and plan funds are used efficiently to support a healthy diet. This restriction helps encourage healthier dietary choices among participants by making healthier items more accessible and incentivized.

What Beverages Can I Buy with My Healthy Benefits Card?

While sugary sodas are a no-go, there are plenty of other beverages you can purchase with your card. Eligible drinks typically focus on hydration and nutritional value. The exact list can vary slightly depending on your specific plan and the participating retailers, but common examples include:

Plain water: Bottled, filtered, or otherwise, plain water is a cornerstone of a healthy diet and is almost always covered.
Nutritional shakes and drinks: Products like protein shakes or nutritional supplements that are medically approved are often covered.
Milk and dairy alternatives: Milk, as well as plant-based milks like almond or soy, are typically covered due to their nutritional content.
Unsweetened juice: Some plans may cover 100% unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices, though restrictions may apply based on sugar content.
Electrolyte-enhanced water: Water with added electrolytes for hydration may be eligible, but check your plan details, as this can vary.

What Other Items Can I Purchase?

The benefits of your card extend well beyond just beverages. The exact range of covered items depends on your specific plan, but a broader grocery benefit or OTC benefit can include a wide range of products. Here is a more extensive look at what's covered:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products

Pain relievers
Allergy medication
Cold and flu remedies
First aid supplies
Vitamins and supplements
Oral care products

Grocery Items (for plans with a food benefit)

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Canned fruits and vegetables
Meat and seafood
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
Healthy grains, including whole-grain bread and pasta
Nutritional shakes and bars

Comparison of Beverage Eligibility

To clarify the difference between eligible and ineligible purchases, the table below provides a quick reference guide.


Beverage Type	Typically Eligible?	Reason	Example
Soda & Sugary Drinks	No	High in sugar, low nutritional value.	Cola, lemonade, sugary sports drinks
Water (plain)	Yes	Essential for hydration, no added sugars.	Bottled water, purified water
Milk & Dairy	Yes	Provides protein, calcium, and other nutrients.	Cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk
100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice	Depends	Can be covered if unsweetened and 100% juice.	Pure orange juice, vegetable juice blend
Coffee & Tea (pre-made)	No	Typically not covered, similar to soda restrictions.	Sugary bottled coffee drinks, iced tea
Herbal Tea Bags	Depends	Often considered grocery items, but check your plan specifics.	Peppermint tea, chamomile tea

How to Check Your Plan for Specifics

Because coverage can vary significantly between different plans, it is crucial to verify the eligibility of any specific item. Most programs offer a few ways to check:

Online Portal: Log in to your account on your Healthy Benefits card provider's website. They often have a searchable database of approved products.
Mobile App: Many programs have a mobile app that allows you to scan a product's barcode to instantly check its eligibility.
Customer Service: You can call the customer service number on the back of your card for assistance with specific questions.

Conclusion

While a Healthy Benefits card might seem like a general-purpose grocery card, it is specifically curated to promote healthier spending habits by restricting purchases of items like soda and other sugary drinks. The best way to make the most of your card is to focus on eligible, nutritious items like fresh produce, milk, and approved OTC products, and always verify specific item eligibility through your program's website or app. This approach ensures your benefits support the health and wellness goals for which they were created.

Learn more about what's covered by your Healthy Benefits+ plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Soda is excluded because Healthy Benefits cards are designed to promote healthy choices by covering nutritionally valuable foods and products. Sugary drinks like soda are generally not considered healthy and are therefore ineligible.

No, most Healthy Benefits programs do not permit the purchase of diet soda. The restrictions typically apply to all sugary and artificially sweetened beverages, regardless of calorie count, as they do not fall under the category of healthy food items.

Eligible drinks usually include plain water, milk, and sometimes 100% unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices. These are considered more beneficial for overall health.

The most accurate place to find a complete list of eligible items is on your Healthy Benefits card provider's website. Many also offer a mobile app where you can check product eligibility directly.

No, they are different programs with different rules. Healthy Benefits cards are issued by private health insurance plans, while SNAP EBT cards are for a federal food assistance program. While both may have restrictions on unhealthy items like soda, their guidelines and administration are separate.

Even with a grocery benefit, the restriction on purchasing soda usually still applies. These benefits are specifically allocated for healthy grocery items like produce, meat, and dairy, not sugary beverages.

The transaction for the ineligible item will be declined. You will need to use an alternative form of payment for that part of your purchase.

Similar to soda, hot drinks like coffee from a cafe or coffee shop are not covered. The card is generally restricted to grocery and over-the-counter health items.

Yes, the eligibility rules are set by your health plan, not the retailer. Regardless of the store, the card will decline purchases for ineligible items, including soda.