Montana approves 23rd SNAP waiver

Montana’s SNAP food-restriction story starts earlier than the social-media posts now circulating. On March 31, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that Montana had submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking to restrict SNAP purchases to what the state described as healthy, nutritious foods instead of soft drinks, junk food and candy. (dphhs.mt.gov) The governor’s office and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services said the proposal was part of a broader “Making Montana Healthy Again” push. The available official Montana material does not support the context line attributing the move to President Joe Biden, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. (gov.mt.gov) In the March 31 state release, Gianforte instead credited President Donald J. Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. ### What did Montana actually ask the federal government to change? Montana’s March 31 request asked USDA to let the state narrow what SNAP benefits can buy. The state release said the waiver would restrict purchases of soft drinks, junk food and candy, and described the proposal as aligning Montana with practices in 22 other states. (dphhs.mt.gov) The state’s waiver materials add more detail than the short release. Montana said the restricted categories would include candy, prepared desserts such as packaged snack cakes, high-sugar beverages exceeding 10 grams of sugar per 8 ounces, and energy drinks. The state also said protein bars and fresh baked goods would remain eligible, and that milk, 100% fruit juice and medical electrolytes would be protected from the restrictions. (dphhs.mt.gov) ### Does SNAP already ban some items nationwide? USDA already bars SNAP purchases for several categories nationwide, but those are different from Montana’s proposed food restrictions. USDA retailer guidance says SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food items, hot foods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, gasoline, pet food, diapers, soap and products with a Supplement Facts label. (dphhs.mt.gov) That matters because Montana is not changing the national baseline on its own. The state is asking USDA to approve a demonstration project under federal SNAP waiver authority to test additional food restrictions beyond the standard nationwide rules. (dphhs.mt.gov) ### What federal process governs a waiver like this? USDA’s waiver template says Section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act allows demonstration projects that test program changes intended to improve SNAP administration and delivery. The template says projects must include an evaluation component and that USDA can withdraw approval or terminate a demonstration if it finds access problems, payment errors or inconsistency with SNAP goals. (fns.usda.gov) USDA’s March 2026 guidance page also shows the department had established a process for food-restriction waivers and retailer compliance questions. Separate USDA waiver pages for other states, including Virginia, Tennessee, North Dakota and Colorado, show the department has been approving state-specific demonstrations with different start dates and terms. (gov.mt.gov) ### Is Montana really the 23rd state? Montana’s March 31 release said the waiver would align the state with 22 other states, which would make Montana the 23rd if USDA approved it. The final waiver request posted on the governor’s website also says many states were implementing approved restrictions in 2026, citing Idaho and North Dakota as examples. (gov.mt.gov) I could not independently verify, from the official sources surfaced here, a separate May 22 Montana release explicitly saying USDA had approved Montana’s waiver on that date. The strongest official evidence available is the March 31 submission announcement and the posting of a final waiver document on the governor’s website. (fns.usda.gov) ### What should readers watch next? The next concrete step is a federal one. USDA’s waiver framework says approved SNAP food-restriction demonstrations carry terms, conditions and evaluation requirements, and Montana’s final request document is already posted on the governor’s website for public review. (dphhs.mt.gov) If Montana issues a formal approval release or USDA posts a Montana-specific waiver page, those documents would establish the approval date, effective date and compliance timetable for retailers and SNAP recipients. Based on the official material currently available, those details remain the pieces still needing confirmation. (gov.mt.gov) (dphhs.mt.gov)