What Are SNAP Food Benefits And How Does The Program Work?

The SNAP program helps many Americans — current estimates suggest as many as one in eight Americans receive this assistance – to buy food staples. Due to the recent government shutdown, however, it was announced that benefits would largely cease starting in November after the government declined to draw on an emergency contingency fund. But what is SNAP? And how does it work? If you aren't familiar with the program, it might seem confusing, but it's simpler than you might think.

SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It's run and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for agricultural and nutritional policy for the United States. Families get an EBT (or Electronic Benefits Transfer) card that they can use to pay for their groceries at checkout. SNAP isn't usable at every store, and it can't be used to buy everything, but it's still a vital program that helps feed hungry Americans.

SNAP began as the temporary Food Stamp Program in 1939, then became a permanent nationwide program in 1974. It first used physical stamps, with the EBT system in use today not appearing until 1984. The program changed its name to SNAP in 2008 to try and avoid the stigma that came with the term "food stamps." It's since become vital to many; in the 2024 fiscal year, $100 billion went to SNAP to help lighten the load on low-income Americans.

In order to qualify for SNAP, a household must meet certain requirements in regard to income and assets. Namely, their earnings must be at or near the poverty line, which is calculated every fiscal year, and their assets must be below $3,000 for households without disabled individuals or ones over 60 years old, and $4,500 for those who do meet those criteria.

The amount of benefits a household gets each month depends on how many people live there and whether or not they have income. A SNAP EBT card can be used to buy almost any food product besides hot food, but does not cover controlled substances like alcohol or tobacco, nor pet foods, hygiene products, or cleaning products. SNAP can be used at most major online and brick-and-mortar retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Even some stores you may not expect, like Trader Joe's, accept EBT cards.

Barring an end to the government shutdown or a change in how the program is subsidized, starting on November 1, 2025 SNAP benefits will lose funding. Some states have stated that they will offer benefits even without federal funding, but the near future of the program is still uncertain. If you do receive SNAP benefits, you may wish to buy in bulk and look for lasting foodstuffs like canned foods. Also consider buying seeds to grow your own produce next season — food-producing seeds and plants are also covered by SNAP.