New 2026 Texas SNAP rules now in effect. Here's what recipients can no longer buy.

Texans who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will no longer be allowed to purchase sweetened drinks and candy beginning this Wednesday, April 1.

In 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service prohibit those purchases using SNAP to "help ensure the health and well-being of Texans."

"The new SNAP guidelines will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to purchase foods that provide real nutritional value," Abbott said in a statement last year. "By restricting unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP benefits, Texas can help ensure the health and well-being of Texans."

Under the waiver, which was approved in August, SNAP recipients can no longer buy candy, drinks with artificial sweeteners, or beverages with 5 grams or more of added sugar.

SNAP serves millions across Texas

SNAP serves about 3.5 million low-income Texans. About 80 cents of every SNAP dollar is typically spent on staples like meat, bread, milk, cereal, and rice, while the rest goes toward items like snacks, candy, and sweetened beverages, according to the Brookings Institution.

Those who qualify receive a card similar to a debit card, which can be used at grocery stores to buy items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, cereals, milk, plants, and garden seeds. Federal officials say the program is designed to ensure access to nutritious food, even during difficult financial times.

State officials also said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide guidance to retailers on which items remain eligible under SNAP and how the new rules will be enforced.