Four More States Start Restricting SNAP Purchases: Here's What Changed

Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia began limiting what SNAP benefits can buy on November 1.

The new rules cover "junk food" items such as candy and sugary drinks.

What's New in These Four States

The USDA has confirmed these restrictions:

• Montana: High-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts
• North Dakota: Soft drinks, energy drinks and candy
• South Carolina: Candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages
• Virginia: Sweetened beverages

Why Is This Happening Now?

SNAP is largely funded by the USDA but run by individual states.

States can ask to change the program through waivers, and 12 now have approved restrictions on unhealthy foods.

The program serves more than 35 million people nationwide.

A Court Ruling Complicates Things

On June 22, a U.S. district judge ruled that the USDA overstepped its legal authority when approving waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia.

The judge found the agency hadn't met federal notice requirements for several of these demonstration projects.

The ruling applied only to those five states, but it temporarily delayed the rollout in the four states above.

Where Else Are Restrictions in Place?

Eight states already had restrictions on the books before November:

• Indiana (Jan. 1, 2026): Soft drinks and candy
• Utah (Jan. 1, 2026): Soft drinks
• Idaho (Feb. 15, 2026): Soda and candy
• Oklahoma (Feb. 15, 2026): Soft drinks and candy
• Louisiana (Feb. 18, 2026): Soft drinks, energy drinks and candy
• Texas (April 1, 2026): Sweetened beverages and candy
• Florida (April 20, 2026): Soda, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts
• Arkansas (July 1, 2026): Soda, energy drinks, candy and certain drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice

What's Coming Next?

Six more states have restrictions scheduled for 2027 or later:

• Wyoming (Feb. 1, 2027): Sweetened carbonated beverages
• Kansas (Feb. 15, 2027): Candy and soft drinks
• Missouri (Feb. 15, 2027): Candy, prepared desserts and certain beverages
• Hawaii (April 1, 2027): Soft drinks
• Ohio (April 1, 2027): Sugar-sweetened beverages and fountain drinks, delayed from October 2026 at the USDA's request
• Nevada (Feb. 1, 2028): Candy and sugar-sweetened beverages

Nebraska also plans a soda and energy drink ban starting December 1, with candy limits to follow on March 1, 2027.

That waiver is still awaiting USDA approval.

Two Sides of the Debate

The Trump administration argues the limits will help taxpayer-funded aid support healthier diets.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has tied the policy to concerns about obesity, diabetes and rising healthcare costs.

Anti-hunger advocates say the rules unfairly target low-income Americans and limit their choices.

Health policy expert Kavelle Christie points out that in many rural areas and food deserts, convenience stores may be the only nearby option.

The Bottom Line

If you receive SNAP benefits, check your state's current rules before you shop.

Restrictions vary widely by state, and several are still being phased in.

References

1. Higham, A. (2026, November 6). Map shows states with SNAP benefit restrictions as more rules come in. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-states-with-snap-benefit-restrictions-as-more-rules-come-in-12675359
2. Same article, as syndicated on MSN (the link you provided; it blocked automated access, so I used the original Newsweek version). https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/map-shows-states-with-snap-benefit-restrictions-as-more-rules-come-in/ar-AA2gTEjx

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