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North Dakota EBT news
Reviewed North Dakota-specific EBT and SNAP news items about benefit timing, eligibility, and program rules.
Updated on: October 11, 2026
Independent information tool. Not a government website.
North Dakota Health and Human Services says the state requested postponement of SNAP EBT purchase-list changes from September 1 to November 1, 2026. SNAP participants can continue buying currently eligible items until November 1, when the Healthy Choice Waiver changes are targeted to take effect.
North Dakota Health and Human Services says that, in collaboration with and at the direction of USDA FNA, the state requested postponement of SNAP EBT purchase-list changes from September 1 to November 1, 2026. Items that will no longer be purchasable with SNAP include certain sweetened drinks, energy drinks or shots, drink mixes, and candy.
North Dakota Monitor reported on October 3, 2026 that North Dakota’s SNAP waiver restricting candy and soda purchases was postponed to November 1, 2026, after federal officials requested more time for public notice and comment review.
North Dakota’s USDA-approved SNAP food restriction waiver starts November 1, 2026 and restricts SNAP purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy.
USDA’s SNAP Food Restriction Waiver page lists North Dakota’s target implementation date as September 1, 2026, restricting SNAP purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy.
USDA lists North Dakota’s SNAP food restriction waiver with a September 1, 2026 target implementation date, restricting purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP benefits.
North Dakota’s approved SNAP food restriction waiver begins implementation in September 2026, restricting SNAP purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, candy, and related confections.
North Dakota’s approved SNAP food restriction waiver is effective September 1, 2026, restricting purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP benefits.
USDA approved North Dakota’s statewide SNAP food restriction demonstration project. Beginning September 1, 2026, SNAP benefits in North Dakota cannot be used to buy soft drinks, energy drinks, or candy; the project is approved for two years, through August 31, 2028, with possible extensions.
North Dakota Health and Human Services issued an August 18, 2026 reminder that SNAP purchase-rule changes were scheduled to begin September 1, updating which items could be purchased with an EBT card, including restrictions on certain sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy.
North Dakota postponed its SNAP food-choice restrictions after USDA/FNA asked the state to delay implementation to Nov. 1, 2026. The restriction affects items such as soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy/confections, and North Dakota says out-of-state SNAP customers shopping in North Dakota must also follow the state’s restrictions.
USDA approved North Dakota’s SNAP food restriction waiver for two years, effective September 1, 2026. The waiver restricts SNAP purchases of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy.
North Dakota Health and Human Services says that starting September 1, 2026, some foods and drinks will be limited under new SNAP EBT guidelines. Items no longer purchasable with SNAP benefits include certain sweetened drinks, energy drinks, and other listed restricted items under the state’s Healthy Choice Waiver.
North Dakota’s approved SNAP waiver is scheduled to take effect September 1, 2026, restricting purchases of candy, soft drinks, and energy drinks with SNAP benefits. The waiver defines restricted soft drinks as carbonated nonalcoholic beverages with sweeteners and excludes powdered flavorings, carbonated flavored water, and sports drinks for hydration from some restricted categories.