LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska is set to make a groundbreaking change to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), becoming the first state in the United States to secure a federal waiver prohibiting the purchase of soda and energy drinks with these benefits. State and federal officials announced the landmark decision on Monday, May 19, 2025.
The new regulation is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will impact approximately 152,000 Nebraskans currently receiving SNAP benefits, historically known as food stamps.
This pioneering move by Nebraska signifies a significant step in addressing how federal nutrition assistance funds can be utilized. The federal waiver allows the state to diverge from standard SNAP regulations, which typically permit the purchase of most food items, including sugar-sweetened beverages.
While the announcement did not detail specific motivations, such waivers are generally sought by states aiming to encourage healthier food choices among SNAP recipients and to address public health concerns associated with high consumption of sugary drinks, such as obesity and related health conditions.
The implementation of this policy in 2026 will be closely watched, as Nebraska forges a new path in the administration of nutritional assistance programs. It remains to be seen if other states will pursue similar waivers in the future.
