of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programor SNAP, is a major part of the U.S. social safety net, used by about 42 million people, or about 1 in 8 Americans, to buy groceries.
Originally known as the food stamp program, it has existed since 1964 and serves low-income people, many of whom have jobs but do not earn enough to cover basic living expenses.
The program has been in the spotlight since President Donald Trump’s administration announced last week that it would freeze SNAP payments starting Nov. 1 during a month-long federal package. government shutdown. The administration argued that it would not be allowed to use an emergency fund that has about $5 billion set aside to help continue the program. But on Friday, Two federal judges handed down the decision. Another challenge is that the federal government must continue to fund SNAP, at least in part from reserve funds. However, the federal government is expected to appeal, and the process to reinstate SNAP payments is expected to take one to two weeks.
Let’s take a look at how SNAP works.
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Who is eligible?
There is income limit The decision is based on family size, expenses, and whether there are elderly or disabled people in the household.
Most SNAP participants are families with children, and more than 1 in 3 include people who are elderly or have disabilities.
Nearly two in five recipients are in households where someone is employed.
Most participants have incomes below the poverty line (about $32,000 for a family of four), according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Nearly 16 million children received SNAP benefits in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program.
Who is not eligible?
People who are not legally in the country and many immigrants with legal status are not eligible. Neither do many college students, and some states ban people with certain drug convictions from entering the country.
Based on the provisions of President Trump’s huge taxes and policy laws This will also come into effect from November 1, and will allow non-disabled people between the ages of 18 and 64 with no children under the age of 14 to receive benefits for just three months every three years, provided they are not working. Otherwise, you must work at least 80 hours a month, volunteer, or participate in a labor training program.
How much can beneficiaries receive?
The average monthly benefit per SNAP participating household over the past few years has been about $350, and the average benefit per person has been about $190.
The amount of benefits varies depending on household income and expenses. This amount is based on the idea that households should spend 30% of their remaining income on food after excluding daily necessities.
Families can receive more money if they pay child support, have monthly medical expenses of more than $35, or pay a larger portion of their income toward housing.
How do perks work?
The cost of the benefit and half of the program’s operating costs are paid by the federal government through taxes.
The state would pay the remaining administrative costs and administer the program.
People apply for SNAP through their state or county social services agency or through a nonprofit organization that helps them apply. In some states, SNAP is known by another state-specific name. Examples include FoodShare in Wisconsin and CalFresh in California.
Rewards are provided through electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, which basically function like bank debit cards. In addition to SNAP, funding is also being put into the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides cash assistance to low-income families with children, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
The card is swiped at checkout or inserted into the store’s card reader, and the cardholder enters their PIN to pay for their food. Food costs are deducted from a person’s SNAP account balance.
What can I buy?
SNAP benefits can only be used for food at participating stores (primarily grocery stores, supermarkets, discount retailers, convenience stores, and farmers markets). It also covers plants and seeds you buy to grow your own food. However, hot food such as restaurant meals are not eligible.
Most, but not all, grocery stores are participating. USDA provides the following links on its website. SNAP Retail Store SearchYou can enter your address to find your nearest retailer.
Items commonly sold at grocery stores and other participating stores that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits include pet food, household items such as toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning products, and amenities such as toothpaste, shampoo, and cosmetics. Vitamins, medicines, alcohol, and tobacco products are also excluded.
Items purchased with SNAP benefits are not subject to sales tax.
Are there any restrictions?
There are currently no additional restrictions on food that can be purchased with SNAP money.
However, the federal government is allowing states to apply to limit the food that can be purchased with SNAP starting in 2026.
So far, 12 states, including Colorado, are controlled by Republicans in 11 states. got permission to do so.
All of them forbid the purchase of soft drinks, most refuse candy, some refuse energy drinks.
