Food stamps serve as a safety net for many Americans. It guarantees that your family will have something healthy to eat and overall lessens the occurrence of hunger and malnutrition in the country.
The Food Stamp Program started in the latter part of the 1930s, and was originally a limited program. It was resurrected in 1961, and extended in 1974 so that the rest of the country could benefit from it.
The federal Food Stamps Program was renamed to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Oct. 1, 2008 to reflect the program’s focus on nutrition and putting healthy food within reach for low income households. Although SNAP is the national name, your State may use a different name.
The government benefit program is administered locally by state agencies. You can apply for food stamp benefits by completing a State Food Stamps application form. Qualified households will receive their food stamp benefits monthly, via the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) System. They will also be issued an EBT card which is used like a debit card to buy food at authorized grocery stores.
Food Stamps Eligibility Requirements
To get food stamps, you must:
- Be a U.S. national, citizen, or permanent resident
- Meet income guidelines
- Have a Social Security number
