Last updated: December 23, 2025

Quick summary

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

• SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy soft drinks or candy.

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

What is changing in Indiana

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 Indiana.

What you cannot buy with SNAP anymore

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

• Soft drinks: nonalcoholic beverages with added natural or artificial sweeteners (excluding drinks with milk or milk substitutes, and drinks that are entirely naturally sweetened by fruit or vegetable juice).

• Candy: sugar or other sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or similar ingredients in bars, drops, or pieces that do not require refrigeration.

These categories come from official Indiana and USDA waiver documents. If you are unsure about a specific drink or snack, check the Indiana 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 Indiana. 

  • 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.

• Most 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 Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) website.

Keeping up to date

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

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

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