CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) today announced the implementation of West Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Healthy Choices waiver, a new initiative designed to promote healthier nutrition choices and improve long-term health outcomes for West Virginians. The waiver will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS), the SNAP Healthy Choices waiver focuses on encouraging nutritious beverage options by removing soda as an entitlement under SNAP. All food items and many popular beverages will continue to be included as part of the program.
For the purposes of the SNAP Healthy Choices Waiver, “soda” is defined as any carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage that contains:
- Water
- A sweetening agent (including sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners)
- Flavoring
- Added carbonation
Only beverages that meet all four criteria will be restricted.
This change does not apply to food purchases. Other beverages — including water, milk, and 100% fruit or vegetable juice — remain fully eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
All SNAP-authorized retailers in West Virginia are required to be fully compliant with the new policy by April 1, 2026. DoHS will be providing technical assistance to all retailers to ensure a smooth transition.
The soda waiver is approved through December 31, 2027, with an option for the State to request an extension for an additional two years.
For questions regarding the SNAP Healthy Choices waiver, please contact the DoHS Office of Constituent Services at 1-877-716-1212, or email DoHSPublicComments@wv.gov.
# # #
