Overview
- Oklahoma’s SNAP Healthy Foods Waiver took effect on Feb. 15 after a technical delay, barring candies, gum, and sweetened beverages including soda, energy drinks, sweetened teas, lemonade, and flavored water.
- Idaho’s restrictions also began on Feb. 15, with Louisiana scheduled to add limits on soft drinks, candy, and energy drinks on Feb. 18, affecting more than a million recipients across the three states.
- Eighteen states have adopted or scheduled purchase restrictions for 2026, with some—such as Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia—already in place and others rolling out later this year.
- Retailers have updated point-of-sale systems to automatically decline restricted items on EBT while allowing the rest of an eligible grocery transaction to proceed.
- Separate SNAP changes now in force include expanded work requirements up to age 64 and FY2026 updates that treat home internet as a utility deduction, with the maximum benefit for a family of four set at $994.