TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is moving to restrict what families can buy with Temporary Cash Assistance benefits, with Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing a change he said would make the state the first in the nation to add new purchase limits to its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families state plan.
DeSantis announced the policy in Tampa, saying Florida is amending its TANF State Plan to prohibit Temporary Cash Assistance, or TCA, benefits from being used to directly purchase what the administration described as inappropriate, luxury and non-essential items.
“Florida has become the first in the nation to set guardrails on our TANF State Plan to stop these taxpayer-funded benefits from being used to purchase inappropriate, luxury, and non-essential goods and services. Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children and overcome barriers on the path toward independence,” DeSantis said. “We will continue supporting Floridians who genuinely need assistance, while working to improve accountability and transparency so that these programs operate as intended.”
Under the amended plan, Florida will prohibit TCA benefits from being used to directly purchase tobacco, nicotine and vaping products; drugs and intoxicants; pornography; video games, entertainment tickets, theme park admission and entertainment subscriptions; tattoos, spa services, tanning and other luxury services; and psychic and fortune-telling services.
TCA benefits are issued through an EBT card to help eligible families pay for ongoing basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, utilities, household goods and personal care. The average household receiving TCA receives approximately $250 per month, according to the announcement.
Florida also uses TANF funds to support the Relative Caregiver Program, which provides assistance to relatives caring for more than 4,000 children across the state.
“Temporary Cash Assistance is designed to provide families with flexibility during times of need, and these commonsense changes preserve that flexibility while strengthening the integrity of the program,” said Department of Children and Families Interim Secretary Kate Williams. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to ensure government assistance serves as a bridge to greater stability and independence while safeguarding taxpayer resources.”
Florida already prohibits EBT card use or acceptance for alcohol purchases and transactions at adult entertainment establishments, pari-mutuel wagering facilities, slot machine facilities, commercial bingo establishments and casinos or gaming facilities. The state’s EBT vendor blocks point-of-sale transactions at those businesses and ATM transactions at prohibited locations. The new policy expands those controls to additional items and services at eligible retailers.
“Florida’s commitment to helping families move toward economic self-sufficiency includes connecting Floridians with meaningful pathways to employment and career advancement,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston. “Through Florida’s workforce system, individuals can access the training, credentials, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and employer connections needed to build skills and increase their earning potential. These efforts help ensure temporary assistance serves as a bridge to greater stability, independence, and opportunity for Florida families.”
The restrictions also align TCA with Florida’s Healthy SNAP initiative. Since April 2026, SNAP benefits in Florida may not be used to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy or ultra-processed prepared desserts.
The new restrictions will be implemented in phases, beginning with SNAP-authorized retailers and expanding transaction-level controls to additional prohibited products and services.
