SNAP Benefits Are Changing for Nearly 3 Million People

Michael Nguyen
Published Dec 15, 2025


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved requests from six states to limit what people can buy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

These changes mean that people in Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee will no longer be able to use their SNAP benefits to buy candy, soft drinks, and some other types of food.

About 3 million people in these states receive SNAP benefits.
 

Why This Is Happening


There has been growing concern about SNAP benefits being used to buy junk food, such as candy and soda.

Some health leaders, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the Department of Health and Human Services, say that buying unhealthy foods with SNAP can make health problems like diabetes and obesity worse.

To address this, states are being allowed to put new rules in place about which foods can be bought with SNAP.

Since the beginning of the year, a total of 18 states have received approval to put these limits in place.
 

What’s Next


The new restrictions will begin next year—some as soon as January 1, and others

-

Subscribe to secure your food stamps and learn more about this government benefit.

Related Articles

SNAP Benefits Are Changing for Nearly 3 Million People...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved requests from six states to limit what people can buy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. These changes mean that people in H...

SNAP Recertification December 2025: What is the Deadline to Renew Your Food Stamps?...

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, helps millions of families in the United States afford healthy food. To keep receiving these benefits, ...

Will December SNAP Benefits Be Delayed? Here’s What You Need To Know...

Many people rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to help pay for groceries every month. With recent government shutdowns, some are worried their benefits for December m...

SNAP New Rules: Possible Changes May Reduce Benefits in Nine States...

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps over 42 million low-income Americans buy food. Traditionally, SNAP benefits are used to purchase groceries at stores, allowing people to make me...

SNAP Recertification in November 2025: What You Need to Know About Renewing Your Food Stamps...

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives millions of families in the United States help to buy food. If you receive SNAP benefits, you must regularly recerti...

What the Government Shutdown Deal Means for SNAP Benefits...

A group of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate reached an agreement late Sunday night to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. They took a first vote to reopen the government, with eight Demo...