SNAP Rule Changes Limit EBT Purchases
- New federal SNAP rules change which foods Florida EBT recipients can buy using their benefits. - About three million Florida residents are affected by the updated purchase restrictions under the revised program. - Advocates warn the changes could reduce access to certain items; see the full list and guidance (patch.com).
Starting April 20, 2026, Florida SNAP recipients cannot use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) to buy soda, energy drinks, candy or ultra‑processed shelf‑stable prepared desserts. (healthysnap.myflfamilies.com) About 3.01 million people in Florida receive SNAP benefits and are affected by the new checkout restrictions. (usafacts.org) The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Florida’s waiver request in 2025, authorizing a two‑year demonstration that lets the state amend SNAP’s definition of eligible food. (fns.usda.gov) Florida’s official guidance lists the excluded categories as soda, energy drinks, candy and ultra‑processed prepared desserts. (healthysnap.myflfamilies.com) Feeding Tampa Bay warned the change will become “the new normal” for families, and local advocates say the rules could add barriers for low‑income shoppers seeking affordable calories. (wusf.org) USDA guidance gives retailers a 90‑day grace period to comply, after which the agency’s Office of Retailer Operations and Compliance may enforce penalties; stores must update point‑of‑sale systems and train staff. (fns.usda.gov) Florida says SNAP will continue to cover staples such as fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy, and specifies certain low‑sugar or juice‑heavy beverages remain eligible. (nbcmiami.com) The USDA approval is written as a two‑year pilot effective Jan. 1, 2026, while Florida’s rollout of the exclusions began April 20, 2026. (fns.usda.gov) Critics urged alternatives such as boosting benefit levels rather than policing purchases; Cindy Huddleston of the Florida Policy Institute said the policy “blames participants” for not having adequate benefits. (wusf.org)
