Iowa Governor Urges Federal Appeal of SNAP Restriction Ruling

Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa, announced the state will not file its own legal challenge against a June 2026 ruling by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson. The ruling nullified Iowa's policy prohibiting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase candy, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Judge Jackson ruled that the United States Department of Agriculture lacks the authority to grant waivers allowing states to restrict SNAP purchases beyond federal prohibitions on alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods.

Reynolds characterized the ruling as "short-sighted" and urged the federal government to appeal the decision, arguing that the restrictions are essential for child health given poor health data. The ruling also affected similar waivers in Colorado, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia. John Boller of the Iowa Hunger Coalition opposed an appeal, stating that support is more effective than restriction and that further litigation would create instability for participants and retailers.

Separately, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported a SNAP payment error rate of 5.34% for fiscal year 2025. This rate places Iowa among nine states below the 6% threshold required to avoid federal penalties under the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would otherwise require states to fund a portion of benefit payments.