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6h ago

USDA Warns Retailers Against SNAP-Only Discounts Without Waiver

The agency points to long-standing equal treatment rules, signaling case-by-case waiver review.

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A volunteer delivers a bag of potatoes to a Bexar County resident during an afternoon curbside food distribution at the San Antonio Food Bank in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. People can pre-register for curbside food distribution at the Food Bank campus, which is available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 2 to 4 p.m.
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Overview

  • USDA reminded SNAP-authorized stores that 7 C.F.R. § 278.2(b) requires identical prices and terms for EBT users and other shoppers.
  • The notice states that offering discounts or services only to SNAP customers is a violation unless a SNAP equal treatment waiver is approved.
  • Officials said waiver requests will be evaluated under statutory authority in 7 U.S.C. § 2014(h)(1), with no blanket waiver announced.
  • The reminder landed during a federal government shutdown with reported benefit delays and rising food-security concerns in affected communities.
  • Retailers and anti-hunger advocates criticized the timing and tone, warning it could discourage voluntary relief efforts such as local discounts or vouchers.