SNAP benefits are changing November

Editor’s note: On Oct. 21, the Flyer reported SNAP benefits are being suspended Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. We’ve put together a list of resources for those who are affected.

On average, more than 116,000 people in Tulsa County used food stamps each month in 2024, according to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Some Tulsans could lose those benefits next month when President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” goes into effect, changing eligibility and work requirements – that is, if the program still has funding.

NPR and others are citing a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture telling state agencies not to make those payments because of a lack of funding if the government shutdown continues past Oct. 31.

To help you navigate changes to food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Tulsa Flyer created this guide, plus a map of the nearly 600 places you can use your benefits in Tulsa County.

How is SNAP changing and how do I know I’m eligible?

According to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, there are four main requirements to receive SNAP benefits:

You have to be a U.S. citizen or live in the U.S. legally.
You have to meet work requirements, but changes are coming in November. Generally speaking, able-bodied adults without dependents have to work a job or be in a work program at least 20 hours a week if they want benefits for longer than three months out of a three-year period.
You have to meet an income range. This depends on how many people are in your household; whether you are a person with disabilities or elderly; and whether you have someone with disabilities or elderly living with you. A family of four that does not include an elderly person or a person with disabilities has a gross monthly income cap of $3,483.
You have to provide Social Security numbers for each person in your household.

There are exemptions to work requirements for people who identify as a child, pregnant mother, senior or person with a medically certified physical or mental health condition.

Beginning in November, the new law eliminates or changes some previous exemptions to work requirements.

Military veterans, people experiencing homelessness and individuals aged 24 or younger who aged out of foster care were previously exempt from work requirements but now must meet them.
Able-bodied adults without dependents up to age 65 must also meet work requirements. Previously, anyone older than 54 was exempt.
Parents with children aged 14 or older now have to meet work requirements.
Native Americans, as defined by the law, are now exempt from work requirements.

The “Big Beautiful Bill Act” also eliminates eligibility for some non-citizens, including refugees and certain immigrant groups, such as people seeking asylum and victims of trafficking.

Some vendors at the Midweek Market at Chapman Green in downtown Tulsa, pictured Oct. 1, 2025, accept SNAP. Credit: Libby Hobbs / Tulsa Flyer

Where can I apply for SNAP benefits?

You can apply online here, or print a form and return it to your local human services center. There are four Department of Human Services offices around Tulsa:

3666 N. Peoria Ave., Tulsa
201 W. 5th St., Tulsa
4848 S. 129th E. Ave., Tulsa
10 N. Mounds St., Sapulpa

What kinds of things can I buy with SNAP?

You can use your SNAP benefits to buy many staple grocery items, which are broken into four categories: fruits or vegetables; meat, poultry or fish; dairy products; and breads or cereals. A more detailed list can be found on the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service website.

SNAP can also be used to buy some items in the accessory and prepared or heated categories, such as ice cream, ketchup and frozen pizza. However, it cannot be used to buy hot prepared foods, alcohol, cigarettes, vitamins and cleaning supplies.

Where can I use my SNAP benefits in Tulsa?

Nearly 600 stores in the Tulsa metropolitan area accept SNAP, so it might feel overwhelming to know where to go for your fresh produce or other pantry items.

To help you navigate eligibility changes and find the best shopping option for you, the Flyer acquired a list of places you can use your SNAP benefits as of October 2025. In addition to the stores on the map below, the Tulsa Farmers Market in Kendall Whittier and Midweek Market at downtown’s Chapman Green also accept SNAP.

Using the locator map is easy. Just zoom in to your current location, and you can find the nearest SNAP merchant to you.

I’m a retailer interested in accepting SNAP. What should I do?

There are a whole other set of eligibility requirements for stores interested in accepting SNAP as a form of payment. A store has to keep a certain amount of staple food items in stock or be more than half of the store’s gross retail sales. You can apply here at no cost. You must provide a Social Security number for each store owner and the sales data of your store.

Stores are responsible for purchasing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) equipment and transaction services on their own, with some exceptions. You can find more information on the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service website.

Helpful quick links

Looking for answers on SNAP? Find government resources below.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said SNAP could not be used to purchase ice cream, pizza or ketchup. Ice cream and ketchup are considered accessory foods and allowed. Frozen pizza is allowed but not hot, prepared pizza. We corrected this information above, and we regret the error.

News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.