Yes — you can cross state lines and use your SNAP EBT card to buy soda and candy in a state where those items are still allowed. SNAP EBT is a nationwide benefit — your card works in any state or U.S. territory (including D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands).
If your home state bans soda and/or candy from SNAP purchases (now 4 states as of January 2026, with more pending), you can legally travel to a neighboring state that follows federal rules and use your EBT card to buy those items there, as long as the store accepts EBT.
This is one of the most common questions since the first state-level soda/candy bans began rolling out in 2026. Below is everything you need to know about cross-state SNAP purchases, legal rules, practical tips, and risks to avoid.
How SNAP EBT Works Across State Lines
SNAP is a federal program administered by states, but the EBT card itself is interoperable nationwide. That means:
- Your SNAP benefits are not restricted to your home state.
- You can use your EBT card at any authorized retailer that displays the Quest logo (the national EBT network symbol) — in any state.
- The eligibility rules of the store’s state determine what is purchasable with SNAP, not your home state’s rules.
Key legal principle (USDA policy):
When you use your EBT card, the transaction follows the receiving state’s SNAP rules for product eligibility. If soda and candy are still SNAP-eligible in the state you’re shopping in, you can buy them — even if they are banned in your home state.
This has been confirmed in USDA guidance and multiple state agency FAQs since the first waivers took effect in 2026.
State-by-State SNAP Soda & Candy Restrictions (2026)
| State | Soda Banned? | Candy Banned? | Effective Date | Status | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Alaska | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Arizona | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Arkansas | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| California | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Colorado | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Connecticut | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Delaware | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Jan 1, 2026 | Approved & Active | Full ban on soda & candy |
| Georgia | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Jan 1, 2026 | Approved & Active | Full ban on soda & candy |
| Maine | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Maryland | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Mississippi | No | No | N/A | No ban | Full federal rules apply |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Jan 1, 2026 | Approved & Active | First state to implement |
| West Virginia | Yes | No | Jan 1, 2026 | Approved & Active | Soda only (candy allowed) |
| All Other States | No | No | N/A | No ban | Follow full federal rules |
Pending or Discussed (as of January 2026):
- Texas: Legislation introduced (HB 1234) to ban soda & candy; waiver request expected Q1 2026.
- Missouri: House Bill 567 pending committee; proposes soda restriction only.
- Tennessee: Similar bill filed; no USDA waiver yet.
- Georgia: Early discussions in committee; no formal request.
Source: USDA FNS waiver approvals (Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia PDFs), Propel.app tracking, state legislative trackers.
Practical Examples: Crossing State Lines
Example 1: Florida Resident
- Lives in Pensacola, FL (soda & candy banned)
- Drives 20 minutes across the border to Alabama (no ban)
- Shops at a Walmart or Dollar General in Alabama → can buy Coke, Pepsi, Skittles, etc. with SNAP EBT
- Legal and allowed
Example 2: Oklahoma Resident
- Lives in Tulsa, OK (soda & candy banned)
- Drives to Missouri (no ban)
- Uses EBT at a convenience store or grocery store in Missouri → soda and candy eligible
Example 3: West Virginia Resident
- Lives in Charleston, WV (soda banned, candy allowed)
- Drives to Virginia or Ohio (no ban)
- Can buy soda with SNAP EBT in either neighboring state
Example 4: Louisiana Resident
- Lives in Shreveport, LA (soda & candy banned)
- Drives to Texas (no ban yet)
- Can buy both soda and candy with SNAP EBT
Important Rules & Limitations
- You must be physically present in the other state
The transaction must occur at a retailer in the state where the item is eligible. You cannot order online from a banned-state address and have it ship to an allowed state. - Delivery services follow the shipping address
- Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, GoPuff, Amazon — follow the delivery address state’s rules.
- If you live in Florida and order from Instacart, soda/candy will decline even if the store is in Alabama.
- Same for GoPuff and Amazon — they use your home ZIP code rules.
- No fraud or trafficking
Buying soda/candy in another state for someone else in a banned state in exchange for cash is SNAP trafficking — a federal crime punishable by fines and disqualification. Do not sell or trade your benefits. - No “stockpiling” loophole
There is no federal rule preventing you from buying reasonable quantities in another state for personal use. But buying hundreds of dollars of soda/candy to resell would be investigated as trafficking. - Travel must be legitimate
USDA and state agencies do not monitor or penalize people for crossing state lines to shop — as long as it’s for personal use and not fraudulent activity.
Practical Tips for Cross-Border SNAP Shopping
- Use the Quest logo — Only stores displaying the national EBT Quest symbol accept SNAP nationwide.
- Check store policies — Some chains (Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar) automatically follow the store’s state rules.
- Plan trips — Many border towns have big-box stores just across the line:
- Pensacola FL → Alabama Walmart
- Tulsa OK → Missouri Dollar General
- Shreveport LA → Texas Walmart
- Charleston WV → Virginia Kroger
- Bring backup payment — If the store has mixed eligible/ineligible items, you’ll need cash/debit for banned items.
- Avoid delivery apps — They use your home address rules, not the store’s location.
- Check for new waivers — More states are applying (Texas, Missouri, Tennessee). Monitor USDA FNS waivers page.
FAQs
Can I use my SNAP EBT card in another state?
Yes — your EBT card works nationwide at any authorized retailer that displays the Quest logo.
If soda is banned in my state, can I buy it in a neighboring state?
Yes — the purchase follows the store’s state rules, not your home state. If soda is still SNAP-eligible there, you can buy it.
Can I order soda online from another state using SNAP?
No — online retailers (Amazon, Instacart, GoPuff, etc.) use your delivery address state’s rules. If you live in a banned state, soda will decline even if the warehouse is in an allowed state.
Is buying soda in another state considered SNAP fraud?
No — buying for personal use while physically in another state is legal. Fraud only occurs if you intentionally sell, trade, or misrepresent your benefits.
Will my home state reduce my SNAP benefits if I shop across the border?
No — states do not track or penalize cross-border purchases of eligible items in other states.
What if a store wrongly declines soda in a non-ban state?
Contact the store manager first, then your state SNAP office. It’s usually a UPC database error.
Are there any states that ban cross-border SNAP purchases?
No — no state or federal rule prohibits using your EBT card in another state for items legal in that state.
For eligibility or application help, visit snapeligibilitycalculator.com or call your state SNAP hotline.