Can you cross state lines to buy soda and candy with SNAP?
At a glance
- You can use your SNAP benefits in all 50 states and some U.S. territories, but you’ll generally need to follow the rules of the state where you’re shopping.
- Bans on items, like soda and candy, only apply in the state that enforces them.
- You won’t get in trouble for buying banned foods with your SNAP benefits in another state.
- Check local rules before you use your SNAP benefits in another state.
Yes, your SNAP works in other states, but the rules of the state where you shop will apply.
So if your state has placed food restrictions on “ junk foods” like chips, soda, or candy, you can still buy them with your SNAP benefits in a state that hasn’t banned those items.
In other words, your home state’s rules don’t follow you or your EBT card; only the SNAP rules of the state where the store is located matter.
Here’s how SNAP works across state lines and what it means for you if you want to buy items that are banned in your state.
Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app
How does SNAP work across state lines?#how-does-snap-work-across-state-lines
SNAP is a federal program, so your EBT card works in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can use SNAP at any store that accepts it, even if you’re traveling or shopping outside of the state that issued you the benefits.
But because SNAP is administered at the state level, what you can buy depends on the rules where you’re shopping. For example, in Florida, starting on April 20, 2026, you can no longer use your SNAP benefits to buy candy, soda, energy drinks, or prepared desserts.
But you can travel to a state without these bans and still buy them with SNAP, so if you live near the Georgia border, stores in that state will allow you to buy candy and soda with your SNAP benefits. And you won’t get in trouble with your own state for buying soda somewhere else.
Before shopping out of state, it’s a good idea to check local SNAP rules because an item you want, like soda, might also be banned in that state.
If an item you want is banned from SNAP, you can still buy it using cash, debit, credit, or TANF.
Which states have “junk food” bans?#which-states-have-junk-food-bans
As of January 2026, 18 states have or are planning to put SNAP purchase restrictions in place, limiting what you can buy with your SNAP benefits. But more states may follow.
If you live in one of the following states, or you are traveling to one of these states, your EBT purchase might be declined at checkout when you try to buy a banned item.
| State | Banned SNAP items |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | Soda, candy, fruit, and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, and other “unhealthy drinks” |
| Colorado | Soft drinks made with artificial or natural sweeteners |
| Florida | Soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts |
| Hawaii | Soft drinks sweetened with more than 10 grams of sugar per serving |
| Idaho | Soda and candy |
| Indiana | Soft drinks and candy |
| Iowa | Taxable food items (soda, candy, fruit drinks, gum, etc) |
| Louisiana | Soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy |
| Missouri | Candy, processed prepared desserts, and "unhealthy drinks" |
| Nebraska | Soft drinks and energy drinks |
| North Dakota | Candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and some baking ingredients |
| Oklahoma | Soft drinks and candy |
| South Carolina | Candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and "sweetened beverages" |
| Tennessee | “Processed foods” and beverages such as soda, energy drinks, and candy |
| Texas | Sweetened drinks and candy |
| Utah | Soft drinks flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners |
| Virginia | “Sweetened beverages” like soda, diet soda, zero soda, pop, soft drinks, and energy drinks |
| West Virginia | Soda or other carbonated sweetened drinks |
Traveling out of state?
Download the Propel app to track your SNAP balance in real time and learn more about state rules that could affect what you can buy.
