SNAP benefits: What to expect in 2026

As 2026 fast approaches, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries will likely experience changes to their benefits.

The White House has made several changes to SNAP over the course of 2025, which is the largest anti-hunger program in the U.S., helping around 42 million low- and no-income people afford groceries through monthly benefit payments.

Junk Food Bans

A total of 18 states will be banning junk food and/or drink purchases using SNAP benefits in 2026. These states are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

It follows a push from mostly Republican states and the federal government to promote healthier eating among SNAP recipients. Rules differ by state due to something known as a waiver, which allow states to adjust certain United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules and tailor how SNAP is administered.

“President [Donald] Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose—nutrition,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a press release issued this month. “With these new waivers, we are empowering states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly processed foods, and moving one step closer to the president’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”

The restrictions differ by state, but all target junk foods, typically defined as items high in calories—especially those rich in sugar and fat like sweets and sugary drinks—but low in nutritional value. Implementation also differs across the states, with some beginning in January 2026 for waivers approved earlier in 2025, and more recently approved bans taking place later in 2026.

Whether more states will join the throng that have already implemented bans is uncertain.

SNAP Work Requirements

SNAP work requirements have already changed this year thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—Trump’s behemoth spending bill—which was passed by Congress earlier this year.

SNAP work requirements generally apply to able-bodied adults without dependents, requiring recipients to work, take part in a job training program, or actively seek employment in order to keep receiving benefits.

These rules are enforced through the ABAWD policy—short for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. Under this rule, individuals who do not meet the work requirement can receive SNAP for only three months in a three-year period. To remain eligible beyond that limit, ABAWDs must work at least 20 hours per week, participate in an approved employment or training program, or qualify for an exemption. States may request waivers to suspend or adjust this time limit in areas facing high unemployment or other economic hardship.

Recent changes revise who can qualify for an exemption from the three-month time limit. The upper age exemption has been expanded to include adults up to age 65, compared with the previous cutoff of 59. At the same time, the caregiving exemption has been narrowed to apply only to parents or guardians of children under 14, rather than under 18. The legislation also removes longstanding exemptions for people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and individuals who aged out of foster care at age 24 or younger.

People who are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation, as well as those who are pregnant, remain exempt from ABAWD work requirements.

States were ordered to begin implementing these changes earlier this year, however, many of the changes are not likely to affect current beneficiaries until they come to recertify their benefits. Recertification rules vary by states, with some having beneficiaries submit work and income information every few months, while others have longer periods.

Brittany Christenson, CEO of AidKit, a company that works on infrastructure in aid and relief programs, told Newsweek the requirements will likely reduce the pool of people claiming benefits.

“The federal government says SNAP exemptions are being removed to realign the program to better serve those most in need,” she said. “However, eliminating exemptions for people experiencing homelessness, veterans and young adults aging out of foster care will likely trigger abrupt administrative changes.

“This translates to fewer meals, increased risk of malnutrition and greater stress for people already facing instability. These shifts can create unnecessary confusion and disruption, burden already strained systems and increase the likelihood of delays and errors in delivering aid.”

Recertification

Speaking of recertification, Rollins said in November that the agency plans to have all SNAP recipients reapply in an effort to stamp out “fraud and abuse” in the program.

Minnesota has been assigned as the first state to take part in a pilot program where SNAP recipients across certain parts of the state are required to reapply for benefits. The request from the USDA comes after more than 60 people were convicted over involvement in stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from a federally funded nutrition program in Minnesota during the coronavirus pandemic, which has drawn consternation from the Trump administration.

It is unclear at this stage whether the USDA is rolling out this pilot across other states in 2026, or if it will be implementing a nationwide recertification drive.

Newsweek has contacted the USDA via email for clarification.