Starting in the summer of 2026, the state of Arkansas will test a new rule that will restrict what you can and cannot buy with your SNAP benefits (EBT card) in this state. The goal of this test is to see if limiting sugary items helps improve people’s health.
Who is Affected?
Everyone who receives SNAP benefits in Arkansas will be affected by this change. There is no way to opt-out. You cannot choose to skip this new rule. It applies to 100% of shoppers using SNAP in the state.
What is Changing?
Starting July 1, 2026, your EBT card will no longer pay for the items listed below. The store’s computer system will automatically stop these items from being paid for with SNAP. If you want to buy these things, you will have to use your own cash or a debit card.
Here is the list of items that will be restricted:
- Soda: Regular sodas with sugar (like Cola, Root Beer, or Lemon-Lime soda).
- Diet Soda: This includes “low-calorie” and “no-calorie” sodas (like Diet Coke or Zero Sugar drinks). Even though they have no sugar, they are still banned.
- Certain Fruit Drinks: Any fruit or vegetable drink that is less than 50% real juice. This usually includes fruit punch, sugary lemonades, and orange “drinks” that aren’t 100% juice.
- Other Unhealthy Drinks: This category likely covers energy drinks or very sugary sports drinks. The state has not clearly defined this, and we will keep watching for more details on what this term means.
- Candy: Chocolate bars, gummy bears, hard candies, etc.
What Stays the Same?
It is important to know that most of your grocery shopping will not change. You can still buy all the healthy staples you need.
- Real Food is Safe: You can still buy meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereal, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
- 100% Juice: If a juice is 100% natural fruit juice, you can still buy it.
- Water: Bottled water is still okay to buy.
- Special Meals: If you use SNAP to buy prepared meals at a senior center, homeless shelter, or domestic violence center, those meals are not affected. You can still buy them.
Things You Need to Know.
There is a lot of information tucked inside Alabama’s 8-page waiver approval. Some of the notable statements include:
- Shopping Out of State is Okay: The state will be watching to see if people cross state lines (like going to Texas or Oklahoma) to buy soda or candy. This is not fraud. You are allowed to use your SNAP benefits in other states. They are just counting how often it happens for their report.
- Surveys are Voluntary: You might be asked to fill out a survey or answer questions about what you eat. You do not have to do this. You can say “no” to the survey, and you will not lose your SNAP benefits.
- Your Privacy: The reports the state writes will be about general numbers (like “50% of people bought less soda”), not about you specifically. They are not supposed to reveal your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in their reports.
How to Prepare
This change doesn’t happen until July 2026, so you have time to get ready. Here is how to make your shopping trips easier when the change starts:
- Read the Juice Label: Before you put a juice bottle in your cart, look at the label. If it says “10% Juice” or “Contains No Juice,” your EBT card won’t pay for it. Look for “100% Juice” or “50% Juice” or higher.
- Let the Register Do the Work: You do not need to separate your food into two piles. Put everything on the belt together. The store’s computer will automatically know which items are SNAP-approved and which ones aren’t.
- Bring Alternate Payment Method: When you swipe your EBT card, the screen will show you the total amount covered by SNAP. If there is a balance left over (for things like soda or candy), you can pay that remaining amount with cash or a debit card.
- Don’t Blame the Cashier: The store employees don’t control the rules. The register is programmed by the state to automatically reject these items. Being kind to your cashier will make the process less stressful for everyone!
Relief Recap
Remember, this change is only for specific sugary drinks and candy—you can still buy all your other groceries, including meat, dairy, and bread, just like normal. You have until July 2026 to get ready, so there is plenty of time to learn the new rules without stress.
This article was written using AI assistance. It was completely fact-checked by Nicole Thelin prior to publication.