Last updated: December 23, 2025

Quick summary

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

• SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy many sweetened soft drinks.

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

What is changing in Utah

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 Utah.

What you cannot buy with SNAP anymore

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

• Soft drinks: nonalcoholic beverages made with carbonated water that are flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Drinks that contain milk or milk substitutes, or that are mostly fruit or vegetable juice, are not treated as soft drinks under the state rules. For questions about specific products, check the Utah 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 Utah.

  • 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 Utah Department of Workforce Services website.

Keeping up to date

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

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

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