If you use SNAP benefits in one of 21 states, the items you can buy with your EBT card are changing in 2026. The USDA has approved new Food Restriction Waivers that limit the purchase of certain non-nutritious items \u2014 but your benefit amount stays the same.<\/p>\n
What Happened
\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has approved SNAP Food Restriction Waivers for more than 20 states as part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. These waivers allow states to restrict what SNAP recipients can purchase with their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards \u2014 specifically targeting items like soda, candy, and other foods with low nutritional value.<\/p>\n
As of March 2026, approved states include Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.<\/p>\n
What This Means for You
\nIf you receive SNAP benefits in one of the approved states, here is what changes:<\/p>\n
Your monthly benefit amount does not change. The dollar value of your EBT benefits remains exactly the same.
\nCertain items will be blocked at checkout. When you try to purchase a restricted item, the transaction for that specific item will be declined at the register.
\nEligible food items are not affected. Fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other nutritious foods remain fully eligible \u2014 as do seeds and plants for growing food.
\nEach state’s waiver is slightly different based on what the state submitted to USDA. Missouri’s waiver, for example, focuses on restricting candy and soda, while other states may have broader or narrower lists.<\/p>\n
Who Is Affected
\nAll current SNAP recipients in waiver-approved states are automatically subject to the new restrictions. No application or action is required from you \u2014 the restrictions are applied at the point of sale through the EBT system.<\/p>\n
If you live in a state not on the approved list, your SNAP benefits continue exactly as before.<\/p>\n
How to Check Your State’s Specific Restrictions
\nBecause each state submitted its own waiver with unique product restrictions, the exact list of ineligible items varies. To find out what is restricted in your state:<\/p>\n
Visit your state’s SNAP agency website (search “[your state] SNAP benefits”)
\nCall your local SNAP office
\nCheck the official USDA waiver tracker at fns.usda.gov
\nHow to Apply for SNAP (If You’re Not Already Enrolled)
\nIf you are not yet receiving SNAP benefits and want to apply, you can do so through your state’s SNAP agency. Basic eligibility requires your household income to be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level \u2014 for a family of four, that is approximately $3,250 per month in gross income.<\/p>\n
Apply online through your state’s benefits portal or visit benefits.gov to find your state’s application link.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udca1 Tip: If you receive SNAP benefits, consider opening a free Chime bank account to manage your household budget alongside your EBT card. Chime has no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and is available to everyone regardless of credit history.<\/p>\n
Open Free Chime Account \u2192
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\nWill my SNAP dollar amount decrease?
\nNo. The restriction applies only to what you can buy, not how much you receive.<\/p>\n
What if I accidentally try to buy a restricted item?
\nThe transaction for that specific item will be declined at checkout. You can still purchase all other eligible items in your cart.<\/p>\n
Is my state on the approved list?
\nAs of March 2026, waivers have been approved for over 20 states. Check the USDA’s official map at fns.usda.gov for the latest updates.<\/p>\n
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service \u2014 fns.usda.gov. Updated March 16, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you use SNAP benefits in one of 21 states, the items you can buy with your EBT card are changing in 2026. The USDA has approved new Food Restriction Waivers that limit the purchase of certain non-nutritious items \u2014 but your benefit amount stays the same. What Happened The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cash-food"],"yoast_head":"\n