Last updated: December 23, 2025

Quick summary

• Starting January 1, 2026, Nebraska is changing what you can buy with SNAP EBT.

• SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy soda, soft drinks, and many energy drinks.

• Your SNAP benefit amount is not changing. Most regular groceries are not affected.

What is changing in Nebraska

When the new rules start

The new rules begin on January 1, 2026. They are currently approved as a two-year pilot by USDA and the State of Nebraska.

What you cannot buy with SNAP anymore

You will not be able to use SNAP EBT to buy:

• Soda and soft drinks: carbonated nonalcoholic beverages sweetened with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.

• Energy drinks: drinks with stimulants such as fortified caffeine, guarana, taurine, or similar ingredients that are marketed to increase energy or alertness.

Nebraska’s rules do not treat beverages marketed mainly as sports drinks (such as many hydration beverages) as energy drinks. For questions about a specific product, check Nebraska’s SNAP website or ask an associate at the store where you’re shopping (online or in-store).

What stays the same

• These changes only affect what you can buy with SNAP benefits in Nebraska.

  • Note: You can still include these items in your basket online and in-store when you pay with EBT, but you'll need to pay for them with a different payment method, such as a debit or credit card.

• Your monthly SNAP amount is not changing because of this waiver.

• Staple groceries — like fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and many pantry items — remain SNAP-eligible.

For full details, contact your local SNAP office or visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website.

Keeping up to date

If you live in Nebraska and use the Forage app, we plan to:

• Update this page if Nebraska or USDA change the rules, and

• Share important reminders in the app or via push notifications so you know what to expect at checkout.