By Hola Iowa
Food purchases made with SNAP and SUN Bucks are once again subject to federal guidelines after Iowa’s Healthy SNAP restrictions were overturned.
Iowa families using SNAP can once again purchase all food items that were eligible before the state’s Healthy SNAP waiver took effect on January 1, 2026.
The change followed a June 22 federal court ruling that vacated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s approval of Iowa’s waiver. The court found that the federal agency exceeded its legal authority when it allowed Iowa and four other states to exclude certain foods from SNAP purchases.
Federal SNAP food rules are now back in effect across Iowa. The change also applies to SUN Bucks, the summer grocery benefit that provides $120 for each eligible child.
Foods allowed under federal SNAP rules are eligible again
Participating retailers were instructed to update their point-of-sale systems so SNAP benefits can again be used for all products that meet the federal definition of food.
Stores were asked to make the changes as quickly as possible. Because retailers update their checkout systems separately, families could temporarily see differences between stores.
Under federal SNAP guidelines, benefits can be used to buy food for the household, including fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snack foods, nonalcoholic beverages, and seeds or plants that produce food.
SNAP benefits still cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, nonfood products, hot prepared foods or food intended to be eaten inside the store.
Related: Iowa SNAP enrollment fell by nearly 24,000 in one year
A federal court overturned Iowa’s Healthy SNAP waiver
Iowa’s Healthy SNAP waiver had restricted purchases of certain products that remained eligible under the standard federal program.
The restrictions began January 1, 2026. They were part of a group of state programs approved by the USDA to change which foods could be purchased with SNAP benefits.
On June 22, a federal judge vacated the approvals for Iowa, Colorado, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia. The ruling found that Congress had established the federal definition of food under SNAP and had not authorized the USDA to remove entire categories of food through the waiver process it used.
The ruling addressed the federal agency’s authority and approval process. It did not determine whether restricting particular foods was a good or bad public health policy.
After the ruling, Iowa returned to the federal purchasing rules that had been in place before January 1.
SUN Bucks follows the restored federal rules
SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, now follows the same federal food-purchasing rules as SNAP.
Because the SUN Bucks program was already underway when the restrictions were reversed, foods that were eligible before January 1 are also allowed with SUN Bucks benefits.
SUN Bucks provides a one-time summer grocery benefit of $120 for each eligible child. The program helps families purchase food while school is out and regular school meals are unavailable.
The return to federal purchasing rules does not change the benefit amount or the application deadline. Applications for Iowa SUN Bucks must be received by August 14, 2026.
SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they are issued. Any balance remaining at midnight on the 122nd day expires and cannot be restored.
The change takes effect at the checkout register
Families no longer need to follow the restricted Iowa food list that took effect at the beginning of the year.
Items that qualify as food under federal SNAP rules are eligible again once a retailer’s checkout system reflects the change.
The reversal does not change a household’s SNAP benefit amount, eligibility status or regular issuance schedule. It changes only which grocery items can be purchased with those benefits.
Families can review SNAP balances and account activity through ConnectEBT. EBT Customer Service is available at 800-359-5802 for card-related questions.
Follow Hola America News on Facebook for updates on SNAP, SUN Bucks and other programs affecting Iowa families.
Facebook Comments
