The term food stamps is no longer used. Food stamps used to be the term for money that you get from the government to buy essential food items. It’s now called SNAP benefits.
In this post, you will learn more about SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) and how to get them.
What Are SNAP Benefits?
SNAP is a government-sponsored program that stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program gives out money to low and no income people to help them pay for food.
SNAP benefits are intended for people who are struggling to make ends meet. If you have a luxury car parked in your driveway, you probably aren’t going to qualify.
How Does SNAP Work?
The SNAP program is a federal program, which means that the federal government oversees it and controls it. But, to get actual SNAP benefits, you have to apply through your local state agency. Similar to welfare benefits and housing assistance, SNAP is a state-administered program. This means that each state has its own agency for processing claims and distributing benefits.
When you think about how diverse the United States is, it makes sense why these benefits have to be handed out on the state and local level. For example, a family living in San Francisco probably needs more money to pay for groceries than a family living in Orlando. This is due to the cost of living being higher in San Francisco. This is also why local agencies carefully review each application for SNAP assistance to make sure that only those who are in need get the benefits.
How to Get SNAP Benefits?
The first step is to find the agency nearest to you. Then, depending on where you live, you can either apply online or in-person at a local office.
If you live in Raleigh, for example, you can apply right on the State of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Service’s website. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can also apply in person. If at any point in time you are confused about how the process works or need help, simply give them a call. The last thing you want is to not get food aid because you can’t figure out how to apply.
If you qualify for SNAP benefits, many states hand out money on an EBT card, which is basically like a bank card that can only be used to buy food. This is a very convenient way to collect your SNAP benefits. All you need to do is keep track of your card and make sure that you don’t lose it.
Who Qualifies For SNAP?
It generally depends on where you live and how big your family size is. The federal government publishes general income limits on their website. Here are the current income eligibility limits at the time of this writing:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income | Income After Expenses |
| 1 | $1,354 | $1,041 |
| 2 | $1,832 | $1,410 |
| 3 | $2,311 | $1,778 |
| 4 | $2,790 | $2,146 |
| 5 | $3,269 | $2,515 |
| 6 | $3,748 | $2,883 |
| 7 | $4,227 | $3,251 |
| 8 | $4,705 | $3,620 |
| Each Extra Member | +$479 | +$369 |
Bottom Line: Food Stamps = SNAP Benefits
We hope this post has helped you understand that food stamps are now called SNAP benefits. Make sure to check back for more updates about SNAP benefits and other forms of government aid.
