Food Stamp Programs

The Food Stamp Program was established by federal law in 1964 and the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, is the legal base under which States administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Act is implemented by the Code of Federal Regulations and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).   On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA).  This provision renamed the Food Stamp Program the "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" or "SNAP" and renamed the Food Stamp Act of 1977 the "Food and Nutrition Act of 2008".

The new name focuses on nutrition and providing healthy food for low income households. There have been many changes to make the Program more accessible. The name SNAP is the national name, but each State can use a different name if they want.

SNAP assists low-income families and individuals to purchase the food that they need for good health. You can apply for benefits by completing a State application form. The benefits are provided on the electronic card and is accepted at most grocery stores. Through the assistance of nutrition education partners, SNAP helps clients learn to make healthy eating and activity decisions.

The mission of FNS is to increase food security and reduce hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence.

The purpose of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is to provide the means to increase food purchasing power to raise the nutritional level among low income households and is the first line of defense against hunger for millions of families.

Prior to the Food Stamp Program of the 1970's, households were given access to USDA commodity food which limited their ability to receive or purchase other nutritional food items.

Everyday, one out of every five Americans receives nutrition assistance through one or more of the 15 FNS programs, including SNAP benefits, school meals, and the Adult and Child Care Food Program (AC). FNS works in public and private partnerships with State and local governments and non-profit organizations in distributing food benefits and determining eligibility for millions of children and families. Thousands of local food pantries, soup kitchens, churches and social service agencies provide direct nutrition assistance to hungry people with FNS support.

The welfare reform law of 1996 eliminated SNAP benefits for many legal immigrants and restricted benefits for many able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Congress later restored benefits for many immigrant children and elderly immigrants and some other specific groups.

States were required to convert food stamp coupon programs to an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card system by 2002. Most states operate an EBT SNAP benefit issuance system and approved household's benefits are deposited into an account, accessed by using their individual EBT card.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program currently serves almost 24 million people per month. Monthly food benefits average approximately $98 per person. The Federal government pays 100% of the SNAP benefits. The administrative costs are shared with the States who must pay 50% of the total costs and the Federal government pays the remaining 50%.

The USDA Thrifty Food Plan (the diet required to feed a family of four), provides an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) to the maximum SNAP allotment, and net and gross income levels on October 1 of each year.

Federal Federal regulations require states to monitor the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Each state has a Program Review Evaluation (PRE) unit that reviews a statistical sample of cases to determine the correctness of approvals, denials, certification and amount of benefits to households. Management Evaluation (ME) reviews of all procedural aspects of program administration are also conducted.

We all realize that these are difficult financial times. One of the reasons that many people are having a hard time is that they have gone into debt by borrowing and spending more money than they make.

Unfortunately, many banks and credit card companies took advantage of the situation and offered introductory "no interest" credit cards. These credit cards were easy to get with little or no credit checks. This resulted in people getting several different credit cards, spending freely and making the minimum montly payments. Of course, the "no interest" introductory offer expired and suddenly credit card holders were hit with high interest rates that were applied to the unpaid balance. While you might be able to make the minimum credit card payments, the interest being charged keeps you in a no-win situation.

Paying off your credit cards becomes a financial burden that you can't seem to get away from. If you are late making your credit card payments, that will be recorded on your credit report and can affect your credit score.

There are some solutions that you should consider to get yourself out of debt. You should stop using your credit cards if at all possible.

You should pay off the balance or at least pay down the balance if you can. If you owe money on several different credit cards you should consider a credit card consolidation loan. This allows you to pay off all your credit cards, end up with one loan with a lower interest rate, and with a longer term to pay off your loan. Make sure you spend the time to do the necessary research and select a reputable company to work with.