In the United States, when people talk about “food stamps,” they are referring to a federal government program now officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It is the largest and most important anti-hunger program in the country, providing food-purchasing assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families to help them afford groceries and maintain adequate nutrition. In a typical month, SNAP helps over 42 million people—about one in every eight Americans—put food on the table.
The program is overseen at the national level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but it is administered by individual states. This means that while the core rules are federal, each state manages its own application process and distribution of benefits through agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Division of Social Services.
The shift in name from the Food Stamp Program to SNAP in 2008 was more than just a simple rebranding; it signaled a fundamental change in how the program operates and how it is perceived. For most of its history, the program used paper coupons, or “stamps,” which were very visible at the checkout counter and could carry a social stigma for recipients. The transition to a modern system using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which looks and works just like a debit card, made using the benefits more discreet and dignified. The name change to SNAP was a deliberate choice to align the program’s identity with this new, modern system and to place a stronger emphasis on its core mission: improving nutrition and health, not just providing food.
A Journey Through Time: The History of SNAP
The story of SNAP is a reflection of America’s own economic and social history. The program has evolved significantly over more than 80 years, adapting to economic crises, changing political ideas, and new technologies. Its history shows a continuous effort to balance two important goals: expanding access to help those in need and ensuring the program is run responsibly and with integrity.
The Great Depression Origins
The first Food Stamp Program was born out of the twin crises of the Great Depression in 1939. At the time, American farmers were producing more food than they could sell, leading to agricultural surpluses, while millions of unemployed city dwellers were struggling with hunger. The government created the program to build a bridge across this gap, helping both farmers and families in need.
Under this first program, people on public relief could buy orange-colored stamps equal to their normal food budget. For every $1 of orange stamps they bought, they received 50 cents worth of blue stamps for free. Orange stamps could be used to buy any food item, but the blue stamps could only be used for specific surplus foods designated by the USDA, such as dairy products, eggs, and fresh vegetables. This system directly connected hunger relief with the goal of supporting the nation’s struggling agricultural economy. The program was temporary and ended in 1943 as the U.S. economy boomed during World War II, eliminating both widespread unemployment and food surpluses.
The War on Poverty and a Permanent Program
After the first program ended, nearly two decades passed with ongoing discussions about reviving it. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy, fulfilling a campaign promise, launched a series of pilot food stamp programs. The success of these pilots paved the way for President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the
Food Stamp Act of 1964, making the program a permanent part of his administration’s “War on Poverty”. This new program still required participants to purchase their food stamps, but it simplified the system by getting rid of the separate stamps for surplus foods.
Expanding Access in the 1970s
The most significant change in the program’s history occurred with the Food Stamp Act of 1977. This law eliminated the “purchase requirement,” a rule that forced families to pay cash upfront to receive a larger value in food stamps. This requirement had been a major barrier for the poorest households, who often did not have enough cash on hand to participate. By removing this obstacle, the 1977 law made food assistance accessible to millions more people and established the modern structure of the program, where benefits are provided directly to households based on their income and needs, without any buy-in cost. This change strengthened the program’s mission to fight poverty and hunger.
From Paper to Plastic: The EBT Revolution
Just as credit and debit cards were changing how Americans shopped, the food stamp program began to modernize. In the 1980s, the government started testing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), an electronic system for delivering benefits. Instead of paper coupons, recipients received a plastic card that worked like a debit card at the grocery store.
By 2004, all states had switched from paper stamps to EBT cards. This technological leap was revolutionary for the program. It dramatically reduced fraud by creating an electronic record of every transaction, lowered administrative costs for states, and, importantly, further reduced the stigma for families using the benefits. The discreet EBT card made the transaction nearly identical to any other debit card purchase.
This long history of adaptation, from the two-color stamps of the 1930s to the EBT cards of today, reveals the program’s core dynamic. Periods of expansion, like the elimination of the purchase requirement in 1977 or the 2021 update to benefit calculations, represent efforts to improve access and fight hunger more effectively. In contrast, other periods, such as the budget cuts of the early 1980s or the 1996 welfare reform that introduced work requirements and new restrictions, represent a focus on controlling costs and ensuring program integrity. The ongoing debates about SNAP’s future are the latest chapter in this historical push-and-pull between access and accountability.
Who Can Get Help? Understanding SNAP Eligibility
Determining who is eligible for SNAP is a complex process based on federal rules that are managed by each state. It is not enough to simply have a low income. To qualify, a household must typically meet three main requirements related to its income, its resources (or assets), and the work activities of its adult members. Because states have some flexibility in how they apply these rules, eligibility can vary depending on where a person lives.
The SNAP Household
First, it is important to understand what SNAP considers a “household.” A household generally includes all the people who live together and purchase and prepare their meals together. Certain people who live together must apply as one household, even if they buy their food separately. This includes spouses and most children under the age of 22 who live with their parents.
The Income Test
The primary factor for eligibility is income. Most households must pass two income tests :
- Gross Income Test: A household’s gross monthly income—its total income before any taxes or other deductions are taken out—must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty line.
- Net Income Test: After certain deductions are subtracted from the gross income (for things like housing costs, child care, and medical expenses), the remaining “net income” must be at or below 100% of the federal poverty line.
Households that include an elderly person (age 60 or older) or a person with a disability only need to meet the net income test. The income limits are adjusted each year and vary by household size.
Table 1: SNAP Gross Monthly Income Limits (Fiscal Year 2025)
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,632 |
| 2 | $2,215 |
| 3 | $2,798 |
| 4 | $3,380 |
| 5 | $3,963 |
| 6 | $4,546 |
| 7 | $5,129 |
| 8 | $5,712 |
| Each additional person | +$583 |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Resource (Asset) Test
In addition to income, some households must pass a resource test, which looks at the value of things they own, such as cash or money in a bank account. The federal limit for these “countable resources” is quite low: $3,000 for most households, or $4,500 for households with at least one member who is elderly or disabled.
However, not everything a person owns counts. A family’s primary home and lot, as well as most retirement and pension plans, are not included in the resource test. Furthermore, many states have used a policy option called Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) to raise or eliminate the asset limit altogether. This policy is important because it allows low-income families to build modest savings for emergencies without the risk of losing their food assistance.
Work Requirements
Finally, SNAP has work requirements for most able-bodied adults.
- General Work Rule: Most adults between the ages of 16 and 59 must register for work, not voluntarily quit a job or reduce their hours, and accept a suitable job if one is offered.
- Time Limit for ABAWDs: A stricter rule applies to a group known as “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” (ABAWDs). Currently, this includes individuals aged 18 to 54 who are not disabled and do not have children in their home. These individuals are limited to receiving SNAP for only three months in a three-year period unless they are working or participating in a qualifying work or training program for at least 80 hours per month. Certain groups, like veterans and people experiencing homelessness, may be exempt from this time limit.
These three pillars—income, resources, and work—form the foundation of SNAP eligibility. A household must satisfy all applicable requirements to receive benefits. The flexibility given to states, particularly regarding asset limits, means that SNAP is not a single, uniform program in practice. Instead, it operates as a federal framework with significant state-level variations, creating a complex patchwork of rules across the country. A family that is eligible in one state might not be in another, even with the exact same financial circumstances.
How Does It Work? From Application to EBT Card
For families and individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is navigating the application process. While states run their own programs, the basic steps to get and use SNAP benefits are similar across the country.
Step 1: Submitting an Application
A person must apply for SNAP in the state where they currently live. States offer several ways to submit an application, including online through a state benefits portal, by mailing in a paper application, or by visiting a local county social services office in person. Applicants have a right to receive free assistance with filling out their application from community organizations or agency staff.
Step 2: The Eligibility Interview
After the application is submitted, a state caseworker will schedule an eligibility interview, which is usually conducted over the phone or in person. During the interview, the caseworker will review the information on the application, ask clarifying questions, and explain the program’s rules.
Step 3: Providing Verification
Applicants must provide documents to prove, or “verify,” the information they reported. Common documents required include:
- Proof of Identity: A driver’s license, state ID, or birth certificate.
- Proof of Residency: A lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement.
- Proof of Income: Recent pay stubs or a letter from an employer.
- Proof of Expenses: Receipts for costs like rent, child care, or medical bills, as these can be used as deductions to help a household qualify.
Step 4: Approval and Receiving Benefits
State agencies typically have up to 30 days to process a completed application and notify the household whether it has been approved or denied. For households in urgent need—for example, those with very little or no income—the process can be fast-tracked. These households may receive “expedited” benefits within seven days of applying.
If approved, the household will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card in the mail. SNAP benefits are automatically loaded onto this card each month. The EBT card is protected by a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) that the recipient chooses. To make a purchase, the user simply swipes the card at the checkout terminal and enters their PIN, just like with a standard debit card.
While these steps are designed to ensure that benefits go only to eligible households, the process itself can be a challenge. Gathering all the necessary paperwork, scheduling and completing an interview, and navigating the system can be difficult, especially for the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or those with unstable housing or jobs. The requirement to periodically “recertify” eligibility means this entire process must be repeated, often every 6 to 12 months. This can lead to a problem known as “churn,” where eligible families lose their benefits simply because of a procedural issue, like a missed deadline or lost paperwork, and then have to start the application process all over again. This administrative burden is why simplifying the application and reporting rules is a constant focus of SNAP reform efforts.
What Can You Buy? A Guide to SNAP Benefits
Once a household is approved for SNAP, it receives a monthly allotment of benefits on its EBT card. The amount of these benefits and what they can be used to purchase are determined by federal rules.
How Much Are the Benefits?
The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives is calculated based on its size, income, and certain expenses (like housing and child care). The program is designed so that households with the lowest incomes receive the most help. Benefits are intended to supplement a family’s food budget, not cover it entirely. The average benefit is modest, amounting to about $6.16 per person per day in fiscal year 2024. There is a maximum benefit amount for each household size, which is updated annually.
Table 2: Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments (Fiscal Year 2025)
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | +$220 |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
What You CAN Buy with SNAP
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase most food items at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets. The basic rule is that SNAP covers food intended to be prepared and eaten at home.
Table 3: What SNAP Can and Cannot Buy
| Eligible Items (Can Buy) | Ineligible Items (Cannot Buy) |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned) | Alcoholic beverages |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | Tobacco and vaping products |
| Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) | Hot prepared foods (from deli or restaurants) |
| Breads and cereals | Vitamins, supplements, and medicines |
| Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages | Cleaning supplies, paper products, toiletries |
| Seeds and plants to grow food at home | Pet food |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
What You CANNOT Buy with SNAP
The rules are very clear about what is not allowed. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase:
- Alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.
- Vitamins, medicines, or supplements. A simple way to check is to look for the label: items with a “Nutrition Facts” label are generally eligible, while those with a “Supplement Facts” label are not.
- Any non-food items, such as pet food, soap, paper products, household supplies, or cosmetics.
- A key restriction is on hot foods or any food sold to be eaten in the store. This means you cannot use SNAP to buy a rotisserie chicken that is still hot or a prepared meal from a hot-food bar. However, cold prepared foods, like a pre-made deli sandwich or a container of salad, are generally eligible because they are intended to be taken home.
Modern Ways to Shop
In recent years, SNAP has adapted to modern shopping habits. Many authorized retailers, including large chains like Walmart and Amazon as well as smaller grocers, now accept SNAP EBT payments for online grocery orders. SNAP benefits can be used to pay for the eligible food items, but they cannot be used to cover delivery fees or other charges.
Additionally, there is a growing effort to connect SNAP recipients with fresh, local food. Many farmers’ markets across the country are equipped to accept EBT cards. Some states and communities also offer incentive programs, such as “Double Up Food Bucks,” which match the value of SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, helping families stretch their food budget even further while supporting local farmers.
More Than Just Groceries: The Impact of SNAP on America
SNAP’s influence extends far beyond the grocery aisle. It is a powerful tool that not only fights hunger but also reduces poverty, improves public health, and provides a crucial boost to local and national economies. Its design makes it one of the most responsive and effective programs in the U.S. social safety net.
Fighting Poverty and Food Insecurity
At its core, SNAP is highly effective at its primary mission. Numerous studies show that the program significantly reduces both poverty and food insecurity—the state of lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.
- Poverty Reduction: Each year, SNAP lifts millions of people, including millions of children, above the poverty line. For example, a 2021 update to SNAP benefit calculations was estimated to keep 2.9 million people out of poverty on its own.
- Improving Food Security: For families struggling to make ends meet, SNAP provides the resources needed to buy adequate food. Research shows that participating in SNAP reduces a household’s likelihood of being food insecure by as much as 30%. The impact is even greater for children and for households experiencing very low food security, where people are forced to skip meals.
Boosting the Economy
SNAP is also a powerful economic engine. Because SNAP benefits can only be used for food, they are spent quickly and locally, creating a ripple effect throughout the economy. This makes the program a highly efficient form of economic stimulus, especially during recessions.
- The Multiplier Effect: Economists estimate that for every $1 in new SNAP benefits spent during an economic downturn, between $1.50 and $1.80 is generated in total economic activity.
- Supporting Local Businesses and Jobs: This economic activity supports a wide range of businesses and jobs. In fiscal year 2023, SNAP benefits worth $114 billion were redeemed at over 261,000 authorized retailers, from large supermarkets to small, independent grocers and farmers’ markets. This spending supports jobs for grocery store clerks, warehouse workers, truck drivers, food manufacturers, and farmers. One analysis found that SNAP funding supports approximately 388,000 jobs across the country.
Improving Health and Well-Being
Access to consistent, nutritious food is a cornerstone of good health, and SNAP plays a critical role in promoting it. By freeing up a family’s limited income, SNAP allows them to afford not only healthier food but also other necessities like housing and medical care.
- Better Health Outcomes: SNAP participation is linked to improved health for people of all ages. For children, access to SNAP during early childhood is associated with better health, improved school performance, and even higher earnings and economic self-sufficiency in adulthood.
- Lower Healthcare Costs: By preventing hunger and improving nutrition, SNAP can lead to lower healthcare costs for both individuals and the government. Low-income adults participating in SNAP incur an average of $1,400 less in medical care costs per year compared to non-participants. For seniors, SNAP helps them avoid having to choose between buying food and paying for prescription medications.
The program’s structure as an “entitlement”—meaning anyone who meets the eligibility criteria is entitled to receive benefits—is what allows it to function as an “automatic stabilizer” for the economy. When a recession hits and unemployment rises, more people automatically become eligible for SNAP. The program expands to meet the increased need without requiring a new act of Congress, pumping money into local economies precisely when they need it most. This dual role as both a short-term safety net and a long-term investment in the nation’s health and economic productivity makes SNAP a unique and vital pillar of American society.
The Conversation Today: Current Debates About SNAP’s Future
SNAP is consistently a subject of public and political debate. The discussions often reflect the program’s long history of balancing the goals of expanding access to food and ensuring accountability. Today, the most prominent debates center on work requirements, the program’s funding structure, and the adequacy of its benefits.
Debate 1: Work Requirements
One of the most intense debates revolves around proposals to tighten and expand SNAP’s work requirements. As of 2025, several proposals would significantly change who is subject to the strict three-month time limit for ABAWDs.
Table 4: Proposed Changes to SNAP Work Requirements
| Group | Proposed Change |
|---|---|
| Adults 18–54 (No Kids) | Must work or participate in a training program for at least 80 hours/month to receive benefits beyond 3 months in 3 years. |
| Adults 55–64 (No Kids) | Would be newly subject to work requirements under proposed legislation. |
| Parents with Children Age 7+ | Some proposals may require part-time work or participation in employment-related activities. |
Source: Analysis of legislative proposals
- Arguments for Stricter Requirements: Proponents argue that these changes would encourage more people to find work, promote self-sufficiency, and ensure that SNAP benefits are reserved for those who are truly unable to work. Public opinion polls often show support for the principle of work requirements for public assistance.
- Arguments Against Stricter Requirements: Opponents and many policy researchers counter that there is little evidence that these requirements actually increase long-term employment or earnings. Instead, they argue, the main effect is that millions of people lose food assistance due to administrative hurdles, such as documenting fluctuating work hours in low-wage jobs, or because they face barriers to work like a lack of transportation or a health condition that hasn’t been officially documented. Analyses of such proposals estimate they could cause 2.7 million families, with 5.4 million people, to lose some or all of their SNAP benefits.
Debate 2: Program Funding and State Cost-Sharing
For its entire modern history, SNAP benefits have been 100% funded by the federal government, while administrative costs are shared with the states. A recent and significant proposal would change this fundamental structure by requiring states to pay a portion of the benefit costs themselves, potentially between 5% and 25%.
- Arguments for Cost-Sharing: Supporters of this idea suggest it would give states more “skin in the game,” incentivizing them to reduce payment errors and control program costs more effectively.
- Arguments Against Cost-Sharing: Critics warn that this would place an immense strain on state budgets, which, unlike the federal budget, must be balanced each year. During a recession, when SNAP enrollment naturally rises, states would face higher costs at the exact moment their tax revenues are falling. This could force states to make difficult choices, such as cutting benefits, tightening eligibility, or diverting funds from other essential services like education or healthcare, thereby weakening SNAP’s ability to act as a national safety net and an automatic economic stabilizer.
Debate 3: Benefit Adequacy and the Thrifty Food Plan
The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives is based on the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), a diet plan developed by the USDA to represent a low-cost, nutritious diet. In 2021, the USDA conducted a science-based re-evaluation of the TFP for the first time since the 1970s, resulting in a modest but meaningful increase in the maximum SNAP benefit to better reflect the modern cost of a healthy diet.
This update has become a point of contention. Some legislative proposals aim to freeze the TFP or reverse the 2021 update, which would effectively cut benefits for every SNAP participant across the country. This debate gets to the heart of a fundamental question: What is the true cost of a diet that is both affordable and realistically healthy in today’s world?
How Is SNAP Different From WIC?
It is common for people to confuse SNAP with another important federal nutrition program: the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). While both programs help families afford food, they are designed for different purposes and serve different populations. Understanding their differences is key to seeing how they work together to form a broader safety net. Participating in both SNAP and WIC has been shown to improve food security more than participating in SNAP alone.
Table 5: SNAP vs. WIC at a Glance
| Feature | SNAP | WIC |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | Low-income individuals and families | Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women; infants and children up to age 5 |
| What You Can Buy | Most food items (except alcohol, hot foods, supplements) | Specific nutritious foods like milk, eggs, cereal, fruits, vegetables, baby formula |
| How Benefits Work | Monthly benefit added to EBT card, used like debit card | Monthly food package or benefits issued on WIC EBT card |
| Key Goal | Reduce food insecurity and support nutrition | Improve nutrition of women, infants, and children during critical development stages |
| Other Services | None (food-only benefit) | Nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referrals to healthcare |
Source: Analysis of program rules
In short, SNAP provides broad food purchasing power to a wide range of low-income households. WIC is a more targeted, prescriptive health and nutrition program for a specific, vulnerable population. A family with young children may be eligible for and receive benefits from both programs at the same time, using WIC for specific healthy staples and SNAP for the rest of their grocery needs.
Conclusion: The Enduring Role of SNAP
For over eight decades, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been a cornerstone of the American social safety net. It has evolved from a clever solution to the agricultural and hunger crises of the Great Depression into a modern, responsive program that serves as the nation’s first line of defense against food insecurity. Its journey from paper stamps to EBT cards and online purchasing reflects its remarkable capacity to adapt to the changing needs of society and the advancements of technology.
Today, SNAP is more than just a hunger-relief program. It is a proven tool for poverty reduction, a critical public health intervention, and a significant economic stabilizer. By providing a foundational level of nutritional support, it allows millions of working families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to meet their most basic needs.
The ongoing debates surrounding the program’s rules, funding, and future are a continuation of the historical tension between ensuring broad access for those in need and maintaining strict accountability. As policymakers consider changes to work requirements and funding structures, the evidence of SNAP’s far-reaching impact on the health and economic well-being of the nation remains central to the conversation. Through economic downturns and periods of prosperity, SNAP has endured as a fundamental part of American life, providing a critical foundation of support for tens of millions of people.