Twelve states spark outrage with SNAP overhaul that leaves elderly turning to food banks

TWELVE US states have sparked outrage among Americans with a huge SNAP overhaul that is limiting what shoppers can buy.

As the changes to the food stamps program ban Americans from making certain purchases, another SNAP struggle has older beneficiaries turning to food banks.

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Twelve US states have sparked controversy over new regulations on the SNAP program[/caption]

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits come from federal tax dollars and the federal general fund, although its administration is left up to the states.

Encouraged by President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again campaign, 12 states have requested and been approved for waivers that effectively ban unhealthy foods and beverages from being bought using SNAP dollars.

Some of the states – 11 of which are Republican – have only limited the purchase of sugary drinks like soda and juices, while others have also banned candy and other sweets.

The USDA has already approved waiver requests from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Others are likely to join the lineup, with states including South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania also planning to seek a waiver to limit junk food purchases using benefits.

Over in Montana and Kentucky, lawmakers introduced bills to bar unhealthy purchases, although these attempts were unsuccessful.

Roughly 10 million Americans on food stamps will be restricted at the grocery store when the new regulations take effect in the 12 approved states at varying times next year.

The move towards healthier Americans has been applauded by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr.

“It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation’s history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems,” said Rollins in an August 4 press release.

“President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to Make America Healthy Again. At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.”

Kennedy similarly applauded the states’ decision, arguing that the SNAP limitations would help put “real food back at the center of the program.”

“For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy – products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics,” he said.

While some have welcomed the efforts towards healthier eating, critics of the decision have argued that the waivers seem to be more about control than improving Americans’ health.

One Redditor said the new laws were “very clearly a punishment for being poor” because, had lawmakers really cared about our country’s health, regulations would be in place affecting all citizens.

New SNAP regulations

Six additional states had new food choice state waivers approved, bringing the total number of states banning certain junk food purchases using SNAP benefits to 12.

Arkansas

• Restricts purchase of soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, unhealthy drinks, and candy.
• Target implementation date: 07/01/26

Colorado

• Restricts purchase of soft drinks.
• Target implementation date: 03/01/26

Florida

• Restricts purchase of soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Idaho

• Restricts purchase of soda and candy.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Indiana

• Restricts purchase of soft drinks and candy.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Iowa

• Restricts all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Louisiana

• Restricts purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy.
• Target implementation date: 01/15/26

Nebraska

• Restricts purchase of soda and energy drinks.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Oklahoma

• Restricts purchase of soft drinks and candy.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Texas

• Restricts purchase of sweetened drinks and candy.
• Target implementation date: 04/01/26

Utah

• Restricts purchase of soft drinks.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

West Virginia

• Restricts purchase of soda.
• Target implementation date: 01/01/26

Source: USDA

“I think it’s important to eat healthy, just like everyone else, but this feels more or less like control than concern. Anything that is in a bag and sitting on a grocery store shelf or freezer can be labeled as ‘junk,’” said another user.

PROGRAM PAINS

While many Americans have complained about the impending SNAP restrictions, others are frustrated over the program’s meager benefits.

Amanda Jones, for example, a retired accountant and grandmother, lives on a fixed Social Security income and struggles to make ends meet on her limited SNAP benefits.

To help fill her belly and her refrigerator, the women leans on her local food pantry, Hancock Helping Hands.

“I get the elderly food stamps of $23 a month, so all the help that’s out there for me without this place is $23 a month,” the 62-year-old told CBS News.

Despite her own challenges, Jones volunteers by delivering food boxes to 30 families across Hancock County, one of the poorest areas in Georgia.

Even though the Thrifty Food Plan adjusts food stamp benefits annually for inflation, many recipients and advocacy groups argue that the resulting checks still are not enough to cover the real cost of groceries.

This issue may worsen as the current administration considers cuts to SNAP benefits, pushing more and more Americans to turn to food banks for assistance.

Following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in July, the program is set to undergo major cuts totaling billions of dollars across the next decade. 

Earlier this year, the USDA also slashed two government programs that handed roughly $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to purchase food directly from local farms, ranchers, and producers.

Meanwhile, SNAP users are being “punished” each time they visit checkouts as retailers push for a fee ban and warn of scrapping benefits.

Plus, new SNAP eligibility changes take effect, putting millions at risk of losing their benefits.