Big Changes Coming to Oklahoma SNAP and Medicaid Benefits

Friday, August 8, 2025 - Thousands of Oklahomans could soon lose access to food and healthcare benefits as new federal and state rules begin taking effect.

On June 26, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that Oklahoma would request a USDA waiver to prohibit the purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The move, part of the “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” initiative, aimed to encourage healthier food choices for low-income residents.

Just over a month later, on August 4, 2025, the USDA approved the waiver, giving Oklahoma the green light to move forward. The new SNAP purchase restrictions are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

That’s not the only change on the horizon. Beginning in 2027, SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 will be required to complete 80 hours of work, job training, or volunteer service each month to keep their benefits.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program is also undergoing major reforms. New work requirements for certain recipients are raising concerns among healthcare advocates, particularly in rural communities. Health policy experts warn that 47 of Oklahoma’s 90 rural hospitals, many of which depend heavily on Medicaid reimbursements, could face closure if patient coverage drops.

Despite these concerns, there have been some recent expansions in Medicaid benefits. Children now receive a full year of continuous eligibility, postpartum coverage has been extended to 12 months, and justice-involved youth can access coverage while their cases are pending. In addition, the state is rolling out the SoonerSelect program, designed to improve care coordination and increase supplemental hospital payments.

As these changes roll out over the next two years, advocates say the impact will be felt most by low-income families, rural residents, and vulnerable populations who depend on SNAP and Medicaid for basic needs.

Lindsie Dyer, Staff Writer

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