4 more states will add restrictions on SNAP purchases in April

Related video above: Federal lawmakers debated the merits of these SNAP restrictions in 2024

(NEXSTAR) – The movement to ban SNAP recipients from buying soda, candy and energy drinks with their benefits is growing.

Four more states have been granted waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services to restrict the purchases of sugary drinks and snacks with SNAP dollars.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps low- and no-income Americans afford groceries by loading a debit card with a monthly benefit amount. There are already restrictions on what SNAP recipients can use their benefits for (no alcohol or tobacco, for example).

Now, 22 states have additional restrictions in effect or in the works for grocery items deemed “non-nutritious,” like soda and candy. Kansas, Nevada, Ohio and Wyoming have all moved to add new restrictions in the past month.

But those states’ new rules won’t go into effect for several months or even years.

Four states are........

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