The Senate’s new Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026, includes proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and to the EBT system used to deliver those benefits. The bill is listed as S. 5526 in the 119th Congress. The proposals are not all in effect yet, so the changes described here should not be treated as current SNAP rules.
Proposed SNAP Changes
The bill’s SNAP provisions reportedly address several areas:
- Hot rotisserie chickens and SNAP purchases
- Changes to the share of SNAP costs paid by states
- Making online SNAP purchasing permanent
EBT Security and Food Incentives
The proposals also include stronger EBT security and expanded food incentives, which are programs designed to increase what eligible households can buy with their benefits.
Effects on Seniors and Low-Income Households
The Farm Bill proposals include updates that could affect seniors and other low-income households who rely on federal food assistance. Because these provisions are still proposals, their practical effect on individual benefits depends on whether and how they take effect.
