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If you are an IGIA member looking for these materials, want to ensure you are receiving important emails, or have more questions about resources, please contact Audrey Comer at [email protected].
If you are not an IGIA member, contact us today to join! Find out more about IGIA retailer membership, and contact Cara Corkrean at [email protected] to join.
SNAP Updates as of 7/2/26
Iowa HHS: Healthy SNAP Food Waiver Update (7/2/26 at 4PM) Iowa HHS has received formal notification that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) has vacated the Healthy SNAP food waiver for Iowa.
Retailers must update their point-of-sale systems to allow the purchase of all food items eligible before the Healthy SNAP waiver went into effect on January 1, 2026. Retailers must make these changes in the most expedient manner possible. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) will continue and will follow the same federal food eligibility rules. Because the SUN Bucks program was already underway when this update took effect, foods that were previously eligible before the waiver will be allowed under SUN Bucks.
More information from national partners: NGA: SNAP Restriction Waiver Update (National Grocers Association ? Jul 02, 2026) The USDA just released guidance for the states impacted by the lawsuit that found the USDA did not follow the law when granting SNAP restriction waivers.
For the five states in this lawsuit (CO, IA, NE, TN, and WV), SNAP restriction waivers will be halted for the time being.
For states not included in the lawsuit, SNAP restriction waivers remain in effect. You can go to our SNAP Waiver Tracker to review which states are impacted.
This determination goes into effect immediately. We interpret this to mean:
If you are in IA, NE, or WV, go back to selling all foods on SNAP. SNAP-EBT customers can now purchase all foods and drinks that are normally SNAP EBT eligible.
If you are in any other state with a SNAP restrictions waiver, continue restricting items as directed by your state.
The DOJ is appealing the case. It is possible they ask for the restrictions to remain in place while the appeal moved through the courts. We will share more as soon as any decisions are made.
SNAP Updates as of October 2025: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - SNAP Changes in Iowa On May 22, 2025, Iowa was approved for a federal waiver to limit SNAP purchases to non-taxable food items. (The only taxable items that Iowa will continue to allow to be purchased with SNAP are seeds and plants that grow food for your family.) The effective date for these changes is January 1, 2026. (See HHS's public press release about the changes, 10/10/25)
IGIA is in communication with Iowa HHS to ensure retailers have the information and resources they need to implement these changes. We have been and will continue working with HHS on retailer concerns about implementation, including as it relates to technology, public education, product definitions, compliance, and more.
