State-level restrictions on what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can purchase are expanding in 2025 and into 2026, with several states targeting sodas, candy, and other items considered low in nutritional value. If you currently rely on SNAP to feed your household, understanding these changes may help you plan your shopping and avoid unexpected declines at the register.
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Data Snapshot
As of federal fiscal year 2024, SNAP served approximately 42.1 million people in an average month, with average monthly benefits of roughly $189 per person — figures reported by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/data-tables. The program operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, state-level rules — including any newly approved purchase restrictions — can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next, meaning the same EBT card may cover different items depending on where you shop.
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Which States Are Affected?
States cannot unilaterally change what SNAP covers. To restrict items beyond the federal baseline, a state must apply to the USDA for a formal waiver or receive approval to run a demonstration project under Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The USDA reviews and approves these requests individually — not all applications are granted.
As of mid-2025, states that have received approval or are actively pursuing restrictions on sugary beverages and candy through USDA waivers include:
- Arkansas — among the first states to receive federal approval to restrict soda and candy purchases under SNAP
- Indiana — has pursued similar waiver authority targeting sugary drinks and candy
- Nebraska — submitted waiver requests focused on sugary beverages
- Iowa — has explored restrictions as part of broader SNAP reform proposals at the state legislative level
Other states are monitoring these approvals closely and may file their own waiver requests. Because this is an active and shifting policy area, the list of states with active restrictions may have expanded by the time you read this. Contact your state's SNAP agency directly for the most current rules in your area.
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How SNAP Purchase Rules Normally Work
Under standard federal SNAP rules administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, benefits can be used to purchase:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads, cereals, and grains
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages — including soda and candy, under the current federal baseline
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
SNAP cannot be used anywhere in the country for alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, hot prepared foods ready for immediate consumption, or non-food household items. Those restrictions apply in every state, regardless of any additional waivers.
When a state receives a USDA waiver to run a demonstration project, it can add items to the restricted list. That means sodas, energy drinks, and candy could be blocked at the point of sale in participating states — even though they remain eligible under the federal baseline rules that apply everywhere else.
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What Happens at the Register?
If your state has implemented a purchase restriction, the change is enforced through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system at checkout. When you scan a restricted item, the transaction for that item will be declined — similar to how alcohol is already blocked nationwide. You would need to pay for that item out of pocket or leave it at the register.
This does not mean your benefits are being cut. Your monthly SNAP allotment remains the same. Only the list of what those benefits can purchase changes.
Some households have reported confusion at checkout when restrictions first roll out, particularly if store point-of-sale systems haven't been fully updated before the effective date. If you experience an unexpected decline on an item you believe should be eligible, ask the store manager or contact your state SNAP office to clarify. Keep your receipt as documentation.
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Why This Is Happening Now
The policy debate around SNAP purchase restrictions has been ongoing for decades, but several factors have accelerated state action in recent years:
Federal Openness to Waivers Has Grown The USDA under recent administrations has signaled greater willingness to approve state demonstration projects that test nutritional restrictions, reversing a posture that had historically been more resistant to such requests.
State Legislative Momentum Several state legislatures have passed bills directing their health or agriculture departments to formally apply for USDA waivers, creating political pressure to move quickly once federal approval is granted.
Public Health Framing Proponents argue that restricting sugary beverages and candy aligns SNAP more closely with federal dietary guidelines and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and may reduce diet-related illness among low-income households over time.
Opponents — including anti-hunger advocates, some public health researchers, and food access organizations — argue that restrictions are paternalistic, create stigma at checkout, and do not address the root causes of poor nutrition among low-income households. Those root causes often include lack of geographic access to affordable healthy food, not consumer preference. Both sides of this debate remain active in state legislatures and at the federal level, and the rules may continue to evolve.
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What This Means for Your Household Budget
If you live in a state with new purchase restrictions, here are practical steps to help you adjust.
Review Your Current Shopping Habits Take stock of what you regularly buy with your EBT card. If sodas or candy are part of your typical grocery run, knowing in advance which items will no longer be covered gives you time to adjust your budget before you encounter a decline at the register.
Get the Official List From Your State Agency Each state implementing restrictions should publish a list of newly ineligible items. Contact your state's SNAP agency — typically the Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, or an equivalent agency — to request the current approved and restricted item list. Do not rely on secondhand information or social media posts, as these can be inaccurate or outdated.
Talk to Your Grocery Store Larger grocery chains typically update their EBT point-of-sale systems before restrictions take effect. Ask your store's customer service desk whether their system has been updated and whether they have a printed list of restricted items available for shoppers.
Plan Meals Around Eligible Items If your household relied on certain beverages or snacks purchased with SNAP, shifting that spending to out-of-pocket costs may affect your overall food budget. Local food banks, food pantries, and community meal programs may be able to help fill gaps — especially for families with children. The Feeding America network (feedingamerica.org) offers a food bank locator, and 211.org can connect you with local food resources by zip code.
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Your SNAP Benefit Amount Is Not Being Reduced
This point is worth stating clearly: a purchase restriction does not reduce your monthly SNAP benefit amount. Your household's allotment is still calculated based on income, household size, and allowable deductions — the same formula as before any restriction took effect. Only the list of eligible items changes.
If you have concerns that your benefit amount has changed for any reason unrelated to a scheduled recertification or income change, contact your state SNAP office directly. You have the right to request a fair hearing if you believe your benefits were incorrectly calculated or reduced. Ask your caseworker about the fair hearing process in your state.
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If You're Not Yet Enrolled in SNAP
If you're not currently receiving SNAP benefits and are wondering whether the program may be available to you, here is a general overview of federal eligibility guidelines:
- Gross income for most households must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Net income (after allowable deductions) must generally be at or below 100% of FPL
- Households with an elderly member (age 60 or older) or a member with a disability may have different income thresholds
- Asset limits apply in most states, though many states have eliminated or significantly raised these limits through broad-based categorical eligibility
- Benefit amounts vary by household size and income
To explore whether SNAP may be available to your household, visit Benefits.gov to use the federal benefits screening tool, or contact your local SNAP office directly. Submitting a screening form through third-party websites may involve consent to be contacted — review any consent language carefully before submitting personal information.
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How to Stay Informed as Rules Continue to Change
SNAP policy is moving quickly. Here's how to stay current on rules that may affect your household:
- Bookmark your state SNAP agency's website. Most states post policy updates and notices there before changes take effect.
- Sign up for case notices from your state agency. Many states offer email or text alerts when your case has updates or when program rules change.
- Check USDA FNS directly. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service posts approved state waiver information at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap.
- Visit Benefits.gov at https://www.benefits.gov to find your state's SNAP program contact information and access eligibility screening tools.
Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
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Last reviewed: July 2025