How SNAP Has Always Worked
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has historically allowed participants to purchase any "food for human consumption" with their benefits.
This broad definition has included everything from fresh produce to packaged snacks, with very few restrictions.
State Waiver Requests
Starting in April 2025, states began requesting waivers to restrict certain food items from SNAP purchases.
Within 14 months, 18 states received approval for 2-year demonstration projects limiting what SNAP benefits can buy.
What's Being Restricted
Click on any state to see specific restrictions. While there are common themes, definitions vary significantly between states.
Implementation Timeline
Restrictions are taking effect on a rolling basis from January 2026 through October 2026.
A handful of states implemented on January 1, 2026, while others are phasing in throughout the year.*
* Implementation dates shown are targets from USDA and may differ from published effective dates in individual state waiver documents.
The Impact
These 18 state waivers represent a significant shift in SNAP policy, affecting millions of participants across diverse geographic regions.
Each state's approach to defining restricted items varies, reflecting different policy priorities and public health goals.
Data Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Visualization: Created with Claude Code as part of Propel's AI Residency