Food Stamps
Food stamps, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase food. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The program is designed to help individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet and are unable to purchase enough food to meet their nutritional needs.
History of Food Stamps
The food stamp program was created in 1939 as part of the New Deal. The program was designed to help low-income individuals and families purchase food during the Great Depression. The program was initially administered by the Department of Agriculture, but in 1964 it was transferred to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In 1977, the program was transferred back to the Department of Agriculture and renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Since then, the program has been expanded to include more people and provide more benefits.
Comparison of Food Stamps and Other Programs
| Program | Eligibility | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Food Stamps | Low-income individuals and families | Food assistance |
| WIC | Low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 | Food assistance, nutrition education, and health care referrals |
| TANF | Low-income families with children | Cash assistance, job training, and other services |
Summary
Food stamps, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase food. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For more information about food stamps, visit the USDA website or contact your local SNAP office. Other programs that provide assistance to low-income individuals and families include WIC, TANF, and other state and local programs.
See Also
- SNAP
- WIC
- TANF
- Poverty
- Income Inequality
- Social Security
- Medicaid
- Child Nutrition Programs
- Supplemental Security Income
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
