Last updated: March 16, 2026

Quick summary

• Starting April 1, 2026, Texas is changing what you can buy with SNAP EBT.

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

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

What is changing in Texas

When the new rules start

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

What you cannot buy with SNAP anymore

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

• Sweetened drinks: nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contain 5 grams or more of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener.

• Candy: including candy bars, gum, taffy, candied or chocolate-coated nuts and fruits, and nuts roasted with sweeteners.

If you are not sure whether a specific drink is affected, check the Texas 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 Texas.

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

What drinks are still SNAP-eligible

• Drinks containing milk or milk products

• Drinks made with soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes

• Drinks that are more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume

• Drinks sweetened only with natural plant-based sweeteners — such as Stevia, Stevia Leaf Extract, or Monk Fruit — as long as they contain less than 5 grams of added sugar

• Medical grade electrolyte drinks used for illness-related dehydration (note: this does not include beverages marketed primarily as sports drinks)

For more details, contact your local SNAP office or visit the Texas Health & Human Services website.

Keeping up to date

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

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

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