What SNAP can buy
Can I buy candy with EBT?
The USDA rule
"Any food for the household, such as: fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat."
USDA, What Can SNAP Buy? (page updated June 4, 2025)
Good to know
- Each state defines candy in its own waiver, so items like gum or candy bars with flour can be treated differently.
States with a rule on candy
16 states have a USDA waiver that can cover candy; 10 are in effect now. Courts blocked the waivers of Colorado, Iowa, Tennessee and West Virginia on June 22, 2026.
| State | Status | What the waiver restricts |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | In effect | Restricts purchase of soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, energy drinks, unhealthy drinks, and candy. |
| Florida | In effect | Restricts purchase of soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. |
| Idaho | In effect | Restricts purchase of soda and candy. |
| Indiana | In effect | Restricts purchase of soft drinks and candy. |
| Iowa | Waiver blocked by a court | Restricts all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants. |
| Kansas | Starts Feb 15, 2027 | Restricts candy and soft drinks. |
| Louisiana | In effect | Restricts purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy. |
| Missouri | Starts Feb 15, 2027 | Restricts purchase of candy, prepared desserts, and certain unhealthy beverages. |
| Montana | In effect | Restricts purchase of high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. |
| Nebraska | Starts Dec 1, 2026 | Restricts purchase of soda, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Effective March 1, 2027, restricts purchase of soda, soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy. |
| Nevada | Starts Feb 1, 2028 | Restricts candy and sugar sweetened beverages. |
| North Dakota | In effect | Restricts purchase of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy. |
| Oklahoma | In effect | Restricts purchase of soft drinks and candy. |
| South Carolina | In effect | Restricts purchase of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages. |
| Tennessee | Waiver blocked by a court | Restricts purchase of processed foods and beverages such as soda, energy drinks, and candy. |
| Texas | In effect | Restricts purchase of sweetened drinks and candy. |
More answers
Common questions
Can I buy candy with EBT?
Yes in most states, because candy is a snack food. But a growing list of states blocks candy with a USDA waiver.
Who decides at the register?
The store's system follows the SNAP rules for each product. If you think a charge is wrong, ask the store, then your state SNAP agency.
Sources: USDA, What Can SNAP Buy? (page updated June 4, 2025); USDA, SNAP Food Restriction Waivers (page updated October 13, 2026).
Independent guide. Not a government website. Not affiliated with USDA or any state agency. We do not take applications, and we never ask for your case number, card number or PIN. Amounts and rules can change: your state SNAP agency has the final word.