All states
EBT news
Reviewed national and state EBT news items about deposit delays, benefit interruptions, eligibility changes, and SNAP purchase-rule changes.
Updated on: July 24, 2026
Independent information tool. Not a government website.
A June 22, 2026 federal district court decision vacated USDA approvals that allowed several states to restrict SNAP purchases such as soda and candy. The ruling is affecting the July–August 2026 window because some state restrictions were scheduled to begin during that period, including Arkansas on July 1, Tennessee on July 31, Hawaii on August 1, and South Carolina on August 31.
USDA’s SNAP food-restriction waiver list shows South Carolina with an August 31, 2026 target implementation date restricting purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. The August implementation is affected by the federal court ruling vacating USDA food-restriction waiver approvals.
Arkansas’ SNAP food-restriction waiver was approved to take effect July 1, 2026, excluding soda, low- and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy from SNAP purchases. The July implementation is affected by the federal court ruling vacating USDA food-restriction waiver approvals.
Tennessee’s SNAP food-restriction waiver was approved for two years effective July 31, 2026, to exclude processed foods and beverages such as soda, energy drinks, and candy from SNAP purchases. The July implementation is affected by the federal court ruling vacating USDA food-restriction waiver approvals.
Louisiana received USDA approval for a temporary statewide waiver allowing SNAP participants to buy hot or prepared foods with SNAP benefits after Tropical Storm Arthur. The waiver is effective immediately as of July 20, 2026 and runs through August 13, 2026; restaurant meals remain ineligible.
Connecticut announced that SNAP recipients who lost food purchased with SNAP benefits because of long-duration power outages from the July 4, 2026 storm may be eligible for replacement benefits. Losses had to be reported to the Department of Social Services by July 14, 2026; replacement benefits are limited to the amount of the loss, up to the household’s monthly benefit.
USDA’s SNAP food-restriction waiver list had shown Hawaii with an August 1, 2026 target implementation date restricting purchase of soft drinks, but the Hawaii waiver page says USDA approved an updated implementation date of April 1, 2027 on June 15, 2026. This removes the previously expected August 2026 purchase-rule change from the current two-month window.
Washington DSHS says it has started processing SUN Bucks benefits following a delay in federal funding. As of July 13, 2026, the state had mailed about 347,000 SUN Bucks cards to eligible children, and cards issued June 1–2 that were affected by mailing delays had their issue date changed to July 1.