Many Americans benefit from food stamps each month in order to feed their family, but is that the same as the SNAP program?
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and is the same as food stamps. It’s simply a new name.
According to AS, 1 out of every 8 Americans uses food stamps, or SNAP benefits.
The pandemic has caused inflation, which has driven the cost of food up.
Meal delivery subscriptions and SNAP benefits
Families have suffered income loss, and qualifying for benefits gives them the opportunity to not go without food.
41 million people use SNAP benefits now, which has risen by 6 million since the start of the pandemic.
Food stamps, or SNAP benefits, explained
The program is funded by the USDA.
While the program is federally funded, the states are in charge of running it and sending out the benefits.
In Oct. the average benefit per person jumped by $36, making it around $157 per person per month.
What stores can I use SNAP benefits at?
The benefits are loaded onto an EBT card once per month.
Some states use their own cards or prepaid debit cards.
The cards may then be used at participating grocery and convenience stores.
While most foods qualify for food stamps, one category that cannot be purchased is prepared hot foods.
Income limits for SNAP explained
Who can get food stamps?
The program is designed to help low income families that may be facing food insecurities.
Depending on your income and family size, your benefits will change.
You can apply through your local SNAP benefit office.
At the moment, 37 states are giving out extra food stamps this month to their residents to help with the cost of inflation and stress the pandemic has caused.
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