New rules for Supplemental Nutrition Programs take effect in Iowa
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by Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Effective January 1, 2026 the department of Health and Human Services has issued new guidelines for the use of SNAP benefits throughout the state of Iowa.
The new guidelines are fairly straight forward, whereas, the new plan limitations will only allow for reimbursements for non-taxable food items.
Starting Jan. 1, people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer be able to purchase foods and beverages that are taxable in Iowa.
This includes candy, soda and sugary beverages with less than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice — but also dried fruit leathers, flourless granola bars and some prepared items that are not exempt from state sales tax.
Gov. Kim Reynolds responded by requesting a waiver from the USDA in March to limit SNAP eligible purchases in Iowa to non-taxable foods and beverages.
“We can and must do better for Americans and Iowans by encouraging healthy choices that will help people thrive, not simply providing cash benefits with no focus on holistic well-being,” Reynolds said in her letter to HHS.
In addition to the new guidelines, the state wanted to assure SNAP recipients that other non food items that had been covered under the old guidelines will still be honored. Specifically, garden seeds and plants that produce food will continue to be eligible for purchase with SNAP, even though they’re taxable, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Area retailers have also adapted the new guidelines in an attempt to minimize confusion at the time of check out. Hy-Vee stores have been fitting their stores with electronic price tags that will display the SNAP eligibility on the shelf tag itself. SNAP eligible items will show SNAP in the upper left hand corner of the display tag indicating whether SNAP is eligible for a given item.
While not all Hy-Vee locations have been equipped with these electronic tags, store personnel have been briefed on the changing rules and will help anyone with questions.
