If you use SNAP benefits (Food Stamps) in Idaho, there is a significant change coming to what you can buy at the grocery store. Starting on February 15, 2026, Idaho will begin restricting the purchase of soda and candy with food stamps.
Please note that the previous implementation date was January 1, 2026, but the USDA recently updated their guidance to reflect a delay. The new rules will now go into effect on February 15, 2026 instead.
Here is a simple breakdown of what is restricted, what is still allowed, and when this begins.
New Rules Block Soda & Candy
Starting in 2026, two specific categories of items will be blocked from purchase with your EBT card.
Soda
Starting in 2026, you cannot use your EBT card to buy sugary, carbonated drinks like Coke, Pepsi, or energy drinks. If you try to buy these, the register will simply ask you to pay cash for them.
However, the rule only bans “ready-to-drink” soda.
You can still use your benefits for:
- Milk & Shakes: Any drink with milk or milk substitutes (like bottled Frappuccinos or Ensure) is allowed.
- Juice: Any drink that is at least 50% fruit or vegetable juice is allowed.
- Powders & Mixes. The ban does not apply to “products that require preparation before consumption.” If you buy powdered lemonade, iced tea mix, or frozen juice concentrate, you can still pay with your SNAP benefits.
Candy
Standard candy bars, gummies, and hard candies will be off-limits. However, the legal definition of “candy” has a major exception that you should know about.
If a candy bar contains flour, the government technically counts it as a “cookie” or “cracker,” not candy. This means many chocolate bars like KitKats and Twix are actually still allowed.
The rule also does not apply to refrigerated items. Ice cream bars, popsicles, and frozen treats are all still 100% eligible.
Things You Should Know
While reading the official USDA waiver approval for Idaho, we found several things that you should be aware of before this change goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
The restriction is mandatory. You cannot opt out of the soda and candy ban. Once the program starts, the restrictions will apply to 100% of SNAP households in Idaho.
You can opt-out of the surveys. The state will be conducting health surveys and offering nutrition education classes (SNAP-Ed) to see if the ban works. You can choose whether or not to participate in those surveys.
It may not affect everyone all at once. Idaho has special permission to run a 6-month “pilot” at a small number of households to test the impact. USDA said that if they decide to continue, they must roll out the restrictions to all households within 6 months (so by July 1, 2026).
The state will be gathering data on purchase trends. The state is required to track “out-of-state transactions” as part of this test. They want to know if banning soda in Idaho just makes people drive to Oregon, Washington, Utah, or Wyoming to buy it there.
Using your card in another state is legal. You will not lose benefits or face fraud charges just for shopping across the border. They are watching the trends, not targeting you personally.
How to Prepare
Here are three simple steps you can take to get ready for 2026.
1. Watch Your Mailbox Because the state is starting with a small “test group” in January, you need to know if you are in that group or if you have to wait until later in the year. Keep an eye out for an official letter from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. It will tell you exactly when the rules apply to your household.
2. Practice the “Flour Check” Next time you are in the candy aisle, take a moment to look at the ingredients on the back of your favorite bar. If you see the word flour, you know that item will likely stay safe to buy. It’s good to know which of your favorites are safe before the rules change.
3. Try a Drink Mix If you enjoy soda with your meals, try buying a powdered drink mix or a frozen juice concentrate next time you shop. These are often cheaper than bottles, and they will remain 100% legal to buy with your SNAP benefits even after the ban starts.
Relief Recap
We know that changes to your benefits can cause anxiety. Please remember that your state is not cutting your benefits and you still have choices. If you are unsure about a specific rule, you can always ask your local SNAP office for clarification.
This article was drafted with AI assistance and fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin. Learn more about our Responsible AI Use Policy.