What are the penalty if you buy alcohol with an ebt card?

Using an EBT card to purchase alcohol is prohibited under federal guidelines, as EBT benefits are intended for essential food items and not for alcohol or other non-nutritive products. If someone is caught using an EBT card for alcohol purchases, they may face penalties such as losing their EBT benefits, being required to pay back the funds used for the purchase, and potential legal repercussions depending on state laws. Retailers who allow such transactions may also face fines or lose their ability to accept EBT payments.