Last updated: July 5, 2026
On June 22, 2026, a federal judge blocked SNAP food restrictions in five states. The states are Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia. In these states, SNAP shoppers can once again buy soda and candy with their benefits.
This ruling did not stop every state’s restrictions. Many people search for “12 waiver states” because 12 states received the earliest SNAP food-restriction approvals in 2025. Only 4 of those 12 states were part of this lawsuit. The other 8, including Arkansas and Texas, are still enforcing their bans.
This article breaks down exactly which states are blocked, which states are still restricting purchases, and what it means for your SNAP benefits right now.
Page Contents
- 1 Article Summary
- 2 What Happened in the June 22 SNAP Court Ruling?
- 3 Which States Were Blocked by the Ruling?
- 4 What Are the “12 Waiver States”?
- 5 States Still Enforcing Food Restrictions
- 6 What This Means for SNAP Shoppers
- 7 Federal vs. State Rules: Why This Gets Confusing
- 8 What Happens Next?
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9.1 Is SNAP still blocking soda and candy purchases in 2026?
- 9.2 Which states were affected by the June 22 ruling?
- 9.3 Can I use SNAP for soda in Arkansas or Texas?
- 9.4 Will more states be affected by this ruling?
- 9.5 My EBT card was declined for an item. What do I do?
- 9.6 How do I apply for SNAP benefits in 2026?
- 10 Sources
Article Summary
- A federal court blocked SNAP waivers in 5 states on June 22, 2026: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
- The judge ruled that USDA lacked legal authority to redefine “food” under SNAP.
- 12 states got the first round of SNAP food waivers in 2025. Only 4 of them are affected by this ruling.
- Arkansas started its own soda and candy ban on July 1, 2026, and says it is not affected by the court order.
- Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Idaho, Indiana, and Utah are still enforcing their own restrictions.
- The case may be appealed, and other states’ waivers could face similar legal challenges later.
What Happened in the June 22 SNAP Court Ruling?
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) broke the law when it approved state SNAP food bans. The judge said only Congress can decide what counts as “food” under SNAP. USDA cannot change that definition through state waivers.
Which Court Made the Ruling?
The ruling came from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The case is called Aragon v. Rollins. Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote the decision. Five SNAP recipients, one from each affected state, filed the lawsuit with help from the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.
Why Did the Judge Block the Waivers?
The judge found two main problems. First, USDA used the wrong part of federal law to approve the bans. That section covers program efficiency, not food restrictions. Second, USDA skipped the public notice-and-comment process required for big policy changes. Both issues made the waivers illegal.
Which States Were Blocked by the Ruling?
The court vacated USDA’s approval in exactly five states. These states cannot enforce their planned or existing “junk food” bans while the ruling stands. The table below shows each state’s status.
Table: SNAP Waiver Status After the June 22, 2026 Ruling
| State | Status | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Blocked | Planned soda restrictions are on hold |
| Iowa | Blocked | Its broad tax-based food waiver is vacated |
| Nebraska | Blocked | Restrictions had not yet started; now on hold |
| Tennessee | Blocked | Planned restrictions are on hold |
| West Virginia | Blocked | Existing waiver can no longer be enforced |
In all five states, SNAP participants can currently buy any federally eligible food item. That includes soda, candy, and other items the waivers had targeted.
What Are the “12 Waiver States”?
USDA approved SNAP food-restriction waivers in two early rounds during 2025. Together, these two rounds cover 12 states. This is likely where the “12 waiver states” search comes from. It is a smaller group than the full list of states with approved waivers today.
The First 12 States With Approved Waivers
The first round, approved in mid-2025, covered Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. A second round, approved in August 2025, added West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. That’s 12 states total in the earliest waves.
How the 12 Compare to the Full List of States
By mid-2026, USDA had approved waivers in roughly 23 states total. So the “12 waiver states” are only the earliest adopters, not the full current list. Only 4 of the original 12 (Iowa, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Colorado) are covered by the June 22 ruling.
States Still Enforcing Food Restrictions
Most of the 12 early waiver states are still enforcing their bans right now. State officials in these states have said the court ruling does not apply to them, since they were not part of the lawsuit.
Arkansas: Restrictions Began July 1, 2026
Arkansas was not a plaintiff in the case. Its ban on soda, candy, and juice with less than 50% real fruit content took effect July 1, 2026, as planned. The state launched a free scanning app so shoppers can check if an item qualifies before checkout.
Texas, Florida, and Other Active States
Restrictions are also active in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Idaho, Indiana, and Utah. Each state defines “restricted” items a little differently, so it’s worth checking your own state agency’s SNAP page before you shop.
What This Means for SNAP Shoppers
Your shopping experience depends entirely on which state issued your EBT card. There is no single national rule right now, which is part of why this topic causes so much confusion.
If You Live in a Blocked State
In Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, or West Virginia, you can use SNAP for any federally eligible food. That includes soda, candy, and other items your state had planned to restrict. Retailers in these states should not be blocking those purchases anymore.
If You Live in a State Still Enforcing Restrictions
In Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Idaho, Indiana, and Utah, your state’s restricted items list still applies. If you’re unsure whether your household still meets income and household-size rules for SNAP this year, a SNAP eligibility calculator 2026 can help you check where you stand before you apply or recertify.
Federal vs. State Rules: Why This Gets Confusing
SNAP eligibility and SNAP food restrictions are two separate things. Federal law sets who qualifies for SNAP and how much they receive. States can only layer purchase restrictions on top, through special USDA waivers.
What Federal Law Normally Allows
Under federal law, SNAP defines “food” very broadly. It covers almost any food product meant for home use. The only exclusions are alcohol, tobacco, and hot food ready to eat immediately. This has been true since the program began.
Income limits, deduction rules, and benefit amounts still vary by household size and state; see SNAP income limits by state in 2026 for the current figures where your state applies its own rules.
How State Waivers Work
States that want to restrict specific items, like soda or candy, must apply for a special USDA waiver. USDA approved dozens of these requests starting in 2025. The June 22 ruling found that USDA used the wrong legal process to approve them, which is why only the five plaintiff states are affected so far.
What Happens Next?
USDA has signaled it may appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. That process could take months. In the meantime, the five blocked states remain unrestricted unless a higher court reverses the decision.
Legal experts note the ruling could still affect other states down the road. The judge’s reasoning about USDA’s legal authority applies to every state that used the same approval process, not just the five plaintiffs. States without a lawsuit against them are not required to change anything yet, but their waivers may now be more vulnerable to future legal challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SNAP still blocking soda and candy purchases in 2026?
It depends on your state. Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia are no longer restricted after the June 22, 2026 ruling. States like Arkansas, Texas, and Florida still enforce their own restrictions.
Which states were affected by the June 22 ruling?
The ruling blocked SNAP food waivers in exactly five states: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia. It did not change rules in any other state.
Can I use SNAP for soda in Arkansas or Texas?
No. Both states began or continued enforcing bans on soda, candy, and some sweetened drinks in 2026. These restrictions were not part of the lawsuit and remain active.
Will more states be affected by this ruling?
Not automatically. The ruling only applies to the five plaintiff states. Other states’ waivers stay in place unless USDA withdraws them or a new lawsuit succeeds against them.
My EBT card was declined for an item. What do I do?
Ask the cashier which rule applied. If you live in one of the five blocked states, ask the store to check its point-of-sale system, since restrictions there are no longer valid.
How do I apply for SNAP benefits in 2026?
Apply through your state’s SNAP agency website or local office. You’ll need proof of income, household size, and residency. Processing usually takes up to 30 days.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service — SNAP Eligible Food Guidance
- Arkansas Governor’s Office — Official Announcement on Arkansas SNAP Restrictions
- Food Research & Action Center — Federal Court Strikes Down USDA Approval of SNAP Food Restriction Demonstrations
This article covers a fast-moving legal situation. Rules can change quickly if the case is appealed or new lawsuits are filed. Always confirm current restrictions with your state’s SNAP agency before shopping.
Still have questions about your SNAP benefits? Check your state agency’s SNAP page for the current restricted-items list, or reach out to your caseworker to confirm your benefits are up to date.
