Texas Tightens SNAP Rules, Reshaping Food Access for Low-Income Households

New restrictions on sugary items and expanded work requirements take effect statewide, impacting millions — including eligible families in Dallas-Fort Worth

By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published April 3rd, 2026

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of food aid for more than 3 million Texans, is undergoing significant changes as new state policies reshape how benefits are distributed and used.

SNAP traces its roots to the Food Stamp Program established in 1939 as part of the federal government’s response to the Great Depression. The modern version of SNAP was formalized under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, expanding nationwide efforts to combat hunger while supporting agricultural markets. Over time, the program transitioned from paper stamps to electronic benefit transfer cards, including Texas’ “Lone Star Card,” which functions like a debit card for eligible food purchases.

In Texas, SNAP is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees eligibility, distribution and compliance with federal guidelines. The program is designed to supplement household food budgets, allowing recipients to purchase essential groceries such as fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products.

Historically, SNAP restrictions focused on excluding non-food items and certain prepared foods. Recipients have long been prohibited from using benefits to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, hot prepared meals and non-food household goods. However, most packaged foods and beverages, including snack items and sugary drinks, remained eligible for decades under federal rules. 

That framework began to shift significantly in Texas following a series of policy changes in 2025 and 2026. One of the most notable developments is a new restriction on what SNAP recipients can purchase. Beginning April 1, 2026, Texas became the first state to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for candy and sweetened beverages. 

The restriction was made possible after federal approval of a state-requested waiver in August 2025, allowing Texas to redefine eligible food items under SNAP for a two-year pilot period. The policy applies to all transactions made with Lone Star Cards, both in stores and online, and affects millions of recipients statewide.

Under the new rules, “sweetened beverages” are defined as nonalcoholic drinks containing at least five grams of added sugar or any artificial sweetener, while “candy” includes items made primarily with sweeteners such as chocolate bars, gum and coated snack foods. Items used as cooking ingredients, such as baking chocolate or sprinkles, remain eligible. 

State officials have framed the change as a public health initiative aimed at encouraging healthier eating habits among low-income households. The policy represents a significant departure from traditional SNAP guidelines, which historically avoided restricting foods based on nutritional value.

In addition to purchase restrictions, SNAP eligibility requirements have also tightened, largely due to federal legislation implemented in late 2025 and early 2026. These changes expand work requirements for recipients, particularly affecting “able-bodied adults without dependents.”

Under updated rules, many SNAP recipients must work, participate in job training or complete approved activities for at least 80 hours per month to maintain benefits. Individuals who do not meet these requirements and do not qualify for exemptions may only receive benefits for three months within a three-year period. 

The scope of these requirements has broadened. Previously limited primarily to adults ages 18 to 54 without dependents, the rules now apply to individuals up to age 64 and to some parents whose children are 14 or older. Additionally, certain exemptions that once applied to veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness and young adults leaving foster care have been eliminated under recent federal changes.

These expanded requirements are part of a broader national effort to increase workforce participation among public assistance recipients. Federal policymakers have also reduced states’ ability to waive work requirements in areas with limited job opportunities, further tightening access to benefits. 

In Texas, these combined changes, stricter work rules and new purchase limitations, represent one of the most significant overhauls of SNAP in recent years. Advocacy groups and food banks have raised concerns that increased administrative requirements and reduced flexibility in food purchases could create additional barriers for vulnerable populations. At the same time, state leaders have emphasized goals related to nutrition, workforce engagement and program accountability.

Despite the changes, SNAP continues to serve as a critical support system. Millions of Texans rely on the program each month to supplement their food budgets, particularly amid rising grocery costs and economic uncertainty. Eligible recipients can still purchase a wide range of staple foods, including fresh produce, grains, dairy and proteins.

The current restrictions on candy and sweetened beverages are set to be evaluated over a two-year period, during which federal and state agencies will assess their impact on purchasing behavior, health outcomes and retailer participation. The results of that evaluation could influence whether similar policies are adopted in other states or expanded further within Texas.