How a Texas store gets SNAP (EBT) authorization under the 2026 stocking rule

What changed in 2026

USDA published a final rule on May 8, 2026 that more than doubled the stocking requirement for SNAP retailers. It took effect July 7, 2026, and all SNAP-authorized stores, including those already authorized, had to comply by November 4, 2026.

The four staple groups are: dairy; breads and grains; meat, poultry, fish and plant proteins (like beans and peanut butter); and fruits and vegetables. That is a minimum of 28 distinct varieties and 84 units on the shelves at all times. Snack foods and accessory foods, such as chips, candy and soda, do not count toward the totals.

What counts as a variety

A variety is a distinct food, not a brand or a package size: two brands of the same canned beans count once, while milk, yogurt and shredded cheddar are three varieties. Each variety also needs at least 3 units on the shelf. USDA's examples for dairy are whole milk, buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar and soy milk. For proteins: chicken breast, ground beef, frozen salmon, canned tuna, eggs, peanut butter and lentils.

Applying

1. Stock check first. Count your shelves against the four groups before you apply. USDA may visit the store, and a store that fails is denied.
2. Login.gov account. The owner who applies needs one to use USDA's online retailer application.
3. The application. Owner details (including spouses for some owners), store details, sales figures and copies of the store's issued permits and licenses.
4. Store visit. USDA may send a contractor to photograph the store and check stock.
5. Decision. USDA decides within 45 days of a complete application and issues an FNS authorization number.
6. EBT equipment. Set up EBT payments with a processor using your FNS number. Do not accept SNAP before you have it.

File SNAP last, after the sales tax, tobacco and other permits are issued. USDA reviews the store's licenses and wants to see a store that is open and stocked.

If you are denied

A store denied for not meeting the stocking standards can reapply 6 months after the denial date. That is half a year without SNAP sales, which is why the stock check matters more than the paperwork.

Already authorized?

Existing SNAP stores had to meet the new standards by November 4, 2026. USDA checks stock at reauthorization (about every 5 years) and during store visits, and a store found short can lose its authorization. A new owner of an authorized store cannot take over the old authorization; it has to apply again.