Starting Tuesday, May 26th, Louisiana SNAP recipients will face new restrictions where beneficiaries are limited to using EBT cards in Louisiana and select zip codes in Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
“Starting May 26, 2026, EBT cardholders will be limited to in-state purchases. This change helps prevent and protect against EBT theft while keeping SNAP, FITAP, and KCSP benefits in-state,” says the Louisiana Department of Health website.
“Some retailers in zip codes along Louisiana's border (in Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas) will still count as ‘in-state,’” the LDH goes on to say. Certain approved online retailers will also work through the Louisiana SNAP program.
A full list of accepted zip codes can be accessed here.
There has been some pushback against the updated rules from state leaders. Royce Duplessis (D) stated, “We all want to deal with issues of fraud and waste, but we should also be focused on what brings poverty and how we help people move out of it.”
Duplessis expressed that Louisiana hurricane evacuees might face troubles during emergencies if forced to flee outside of areas where Louisiana SNAP benefits are accepted.
New rules limit users to in-state purchases, and certain zip codes in bordering states
New rules limit users to in-state purchases, and certain zip codes in bordering states
