The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which supports more than 42 million Americans every month, will undergo changes with the arrival of the new year 2026. Through this federally funded program, beneficiaries can access certain products that ensure a balanced and healthy diet, with some restrictions. However, several states will limit the type of items SNAP beneficiaries can purchase with their cards, including Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
In addition to this product list restriction, the program will also experience changes in eligibility requirements, resulting from the approval by the Trump administration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These changes include making aid time-limited for healthy adults without dependents (ABAWD), and requiring them to meet certain work requirements. In addition, refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors, and other non-citizens residing in the United States have been removed from the list of eligible persons.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps low-income families and individuals access nutritious food through a debit card (EBT). Every month, an amount is deposited onto it that beneficiaries can use to purchase certain food items. Although it is federal, it is administered at the state level and helps millions of households access a healthy diet, including families with children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Changes are coming
With the arrival of the new year 2026, SNAP will undergo several changes. On one hand, according to the USDA, currently “Beneficiaries can purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, bread, cereals, seeds and plants to grow food, and other foods such as snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.” However, starting January 1, several states will modify the list of available products, limiting it. In the case of Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Utah, and West Virginia, access to sodas and non-alcoholic beverages will be restricted.
The same will happen in Florida, where it will affect not only sodas but also energy drinks and prepared desserts. In the case of Idaho, it will be sweets that are removed from the list. Starting January 15, Louisiana will also remove the availability of sodas, sweets, and energy drinks. Starting March 1, Colorado will restrict non-alcoholic beverages, and in Texas, access to sugary drinks will be prohibited on the same date, with candy prohibited starting April 1. It will be from July 1 that Arkansas will restrict soft drinks, sweets, unhealthy beverages, and natural juices that contain less than 50% fruits and vegetables.
More changes
In addition to the restriction on the list of available products, SNAP will undergo another type of change related to eligibility requirements, which are due to the approval of the One Big Beautiful Actual Bill (OBBBA). With these changes, healthy adults without dependents (ABAWD) will receive food program benefits for three months within a three-year period. They are required to work at least 80 hours per month, whether through paid, unpaid, or volunteer work, if they want to be exempt from the three-month rule.
Additionally, the age has been increased, subject to a work limit of 65 years, whereas previously it applied to people aged 18 to 54 years. Exemptions apply to members who have a child in their care, as long as the child is under 14 years old (previously the limit was 18). Another group of people exempt from work requirements to obtain this program are those who are homeless, veterans, and individuals 24 years old or younger in foster care. Those who will completely lose their eligibility, regardless of meeting work requirements, are refugees, isolated individuals, trafficking survivors, and other non-citizens residing in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Which foods will no longer be able to be purchased with SNAP?
In many states (like Florida, Texas, or Indiana), buying “junk food” will be prohibited: sodas, candy, energy drinks, and desserts will no longer be able to be paid for with the EBT card.
How are work rules changing for adults?
Adults up to 64 years old without children now must work at least 80 hours per month. If they do not, they will only be able to receive benefits for three months every three years.
Who will no longer be eligible for benefits?
Several groups of non-citizens, such as refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking, will no longer be able to receive food stamps under the new rules of the OBBBA law.