Florida Bars EBT Use for Theme-Park Tickets as Education Vouchers Still Cover Admissions

The administration says point-of-sale transaction blocks will enforce the welfare ban and will need federal sign-off before taking full effect.

Overview

Late August 2026 the DeSantis administration expanded restrictions on Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA/TANF) so EBT cards cannot be used for nonessential items listed by the state, including theme-park admissions.
Florida’s Department of Children and Families is coordinating with payment processors and retail networks to implement point-of-sale blocks to stop restricted TCA transactions.
Walt Disney World and other major parks do not accept EBT cards for admission, food, or merchandise, so the new EBT ban does not change day-to-day park payment policies.
A separate education voucher program, the Personalized Education Plan run by Step Up For Students, continues to reimburse parents up to $299 plus tax per student for theme-park tickets when claimed as having an “educational benefit,” with program reports showing thousands of such reimbursements.
The split between tightened cash-benefit rules and ongoing voucher reimbursements creates a clear policy contrast that requires administrative steps and federal approval to enforce and is likely to drive further political and legal scrutiny.