If you’re on EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) and looking for easy side hustles you can do from home, you’re not alone. There are a lot of people looking for flexible ways to earn extra money without losing their benefits.
The key is to focus on low-barrier, low-cost, and flexible options you can do from your phone or computer. That way, there won’t be any reason for you to be disqualified for the benefits you receive while on EBT.
So, let’s begin.
How can you lose your EBT benefits?
Before we talk about the side hustle options you can go for, it is important to understand how you can potentially lose your EBT benefits, so you can avoid it from happening.
There are a few reasons why you can lose your EBT benefits, and they usually boil down to two main factors: a change in income and giving false information (not giving information also counts). But let’s dive into the main reasons why you can lose your EBT benefits.
1. Earning Too Much Money
If your household income goes above the eligibility limit, you may lose benefits. This includes wages, self-employment income, gig work, or any cash flow you report. Even small side hustles can count, especially if you don't report them.
2. Not Reporting Changes
You must report changes like getting a new job or raise, changes in household size (someone moves in or out), and new expenses (like rent going up or down). Not reporting within the required timeframe (usually 10 days) can cause disqualification.
3. Missing Recertification or Reviews
SNAP and other benefits require periodic reviews (often every 6 or 12 months). So, if you don’t complete and submit the recertification paperwork on time, your benefits will stop automatically.
4. Giving False Information
Lying about income, who lives with you, or expenses can result in loss of benefits, repayment demands, and possible fraud charges and disqualification from future benefits. So, you always have to be honest when reporting your status.
5. Using EBT Improperly
Misusing your EBT card can also be a cause for getting disqualified for benefits. Remember that you can’t trade it for cash, buy ineligible items (alcohol, hot food, etc.), or let someone else use your card without authorization. Doing so can result in benefits being suspended or revoked.
So, if you're earning from side hustles while on EBT, it's smart to keep track of your income.
In most states, small amounts from gig work won’t immediately disqualify you, but reporting your income properly is important to avoid issues. You can check the rules and regulations of EBT here.
6 best side hustles you can do from home while on EBT
Now that you understand the main reasons you can lose your EBT benefits, it’s time we discuss the side hustles you can do to earn extra cash without putting your EBT benefits in jeopardy.
So, here’s a list of easy side hustles that can work well even if you’re on EBT.
#1 – Taking Online Surveys
Answering online surveys is a great way to earn rewards (cash, gift cards, or crypto). Aside from that, it’s very easy to do. Just remember that you will usually need to qualify for the survey before you can earn from it. So, don’t expect that you will earn from every survey you answer.
You can check out the best survey sites in the US for great sites you can join. They are all free to join, and you can start earning right away.
#2 – Get-Paid-To (GPT) Apps
GPT apps or sites can also be a great source of extra cash, and they don’t usually jeopardize your EBT benefits since they don’t pay a ton. That being said, you can earn regularly from them, and you can choose to get paid in cash (via PayPal or bank transfer) or gift cards.
To earn from these sites and apps, you will usually just have to complete short tasks like playing games, watching videos, answering quizzes, and more. You can check out the top GPT sites for a list of great GPT sites and apps to join.
#3 – Freelance Writing or Proofreading
If you are good with words and you have a knack for writing articles, working as a freelance writer or proofreader is a good side hustle, in my opinion. That’s because it can be done remotely, and your earnings will scale up over time.
You just need to make sure that you submit your deliverables on time to avoid not getting paid. You also need to allot a substantial amount of time, so only choose this if you have the time and skills to do so.
You can check out the best freelance sites you can join to look for freelance writing and proofreading jobs. This is also one of the side hustles you need to report because it can be considered as gig work or self-employment income.
#4 – Transcription Jobs
Just like freelance writing or proofreading, working on transcription jobs can also be a great way to earn extra cash. It can be considered as gig work or self-employment work, so it’s one of the options that you must report.
Many sites offer this kind of side hustle, but you should only go for it if you can type quickly. It also typically requires the use of a computer and additional hardware like a foot pedal.
You can check out the best transcription jobs for beginners if you want to start earning from this kind of side hustle.
#5 – User Testing
If you have good attention to detail and you see yourself as a meticulous person, then joining user testing sites can be a great way to earn some extra cash. If you are new to this kind of site, you will earn by testing websites and mobile apps.
Most of the time, you’ll be asked to record your screen while testing, and you will be asked to speak out your thoughts at the same time. So, if you are not comfortable doing that, then this opportunity is not for you.
The opportunities for this kind of side hustle pay a good amount, but there aren’t that many. So, it won’t significantly increase your earnings, and will therefore not usually disqualify you from EBT.
You can check out the best user testing sites you can join for a list of great options.
#6 – Online Focus Groups
Online focus groups are a type of earning opportunity that allows you to earn good money by sharing your opinion on certain products and services. Typically, when done online, you’ll need to use some sort of video conferencing program like Zoom, so you’ll need a computer with a webcam to participate in one.
They also typically take an hour or so to complete, and some of them require multiple sessions, so you’ll have to invest a significant amount of time. The good thing is that they usually pay well, and they aren’t that frequent, so your income will not significantly change, and will not jeopardize your EBT benefits.
You can check out this list of the best online focus groups for money for a list of great sites to join.
Tips for staying on EBT benefits
To stay on EBT benefits (like SNAP or TANF) without interruptions or risk of disqualification, it’s all about staying compliant, organized, and transparent. You must report any major life or income changes to your local benefits office, and you usually have to report them within 10 days.
You can also set a reminder on your phone or calendar for eligibility recertification. If you miss this deadline, your EBT will be cut off automatically, even if you still qualify. So, it’s important not to miss it.
Lastly, if you're unsure about something (like how much side income you can make), you should ask your caseworker before you risk it. They can help you understand what to report and what deductions you might qualify for.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, it is definitely possible to have a side hustle while on EBT. Just remember that you must always report any major change in income to avoid getting disqualified. And if you are unsure if the side hustle you are interested in is viable, you can always ask your caseworker first.
That way, you’ll know exactly what to do to stay on EBT. And always keep in mind that honesty and transparency are key to avoiding disqualification for any benefits. If you keep that in mind before you do anything else, you will not jeopardize your benefits.
If you have any comments, questions, or know of easy side hustles you can do from home while on EBT that you think belong in this guide, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.