Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the proposal Monday and said the restrictions would cover EBT and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits.
- The state released a list of nonessential items it would bar, including tobacco and vaping products, pornography, video games, tattoos, tanning services, fortune-telling and theme-park or entertainment tickets.
- Florida officials say the changes would not cut benefit amounts or alter eligibility and that the move is intended to curb fraud and protect taxpayer dollars.
- The policy cannot take effect until Florida amends its state TANF plan and obtains federal approval, and implementation will require transaction-level blocking or retailer cooperation.
- The effort faces legal uncertainty because a federal judge in June blocked the federal government from restricting some SNAP food purchases, a ruling that could affect how much authority Washington or states have to limit benefit uses.