SNAP Crash-Course #1

Let's cover the basics of what SNAP is and who the program helps.

We are entering the sixth week of the government shutdown, which is now the longest shutdown in US history, and millions of Americans are experiencing real consequences of this situation regarding food insecurity. The last day of October left everyone at the edge of their seats over whether food assistance would actually expire, and there is still a lot of confusion if people are receiving any benefits. As much as I’d like to say “food isn’t political”, government-funded food assistance programs like SNAP are literally carried out through federal policy.

This Substack community revolves around food, so I feel inclined to use this post to engage readers in a discussion about our current food systems. I hope this initial crash-course piece can clarify a few facts (what it is and who it helps) about the SNAP program despite it being a highly opinionated topic right now. For more strictly factual information, I suggest exploring The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which is a non-partisan research and policy institute that helps develop state and federal policies for public programs such as SNAP. Sorry if it feels a little bit textbook… but I prefer to keep these facts neutral and unpack the basics before diving into a big opinion piece.

What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as “Food Stamps”, provides federally subsidized financial assistance for eligible low-income households to purchase food for at-home consumption. SNAP is the largest food assistance program in the US run by the USDA, though other federal food assistance programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). The goals of SNAP and other federal food assistance programs are to reduce food insecurity in the US and improve diet quality among lower-income households. There were 41 million Americans who benefitted from SNAP in 2024, where more than 62% of participants were in families with children and 37% of participants were in families with older adults or who were disabled.

How does SNAP actually work?

While SNAP funding is controlled by the federal government, the distribution of funds and registering eligible participants is the states’ responsibility. SNAP funds are typically referred to as “benefits”. Once a family or person has applied for SNAP, their monetary transfer is loaded onto an EBT card similar to a debit-card that can be used at a grocery store, authorized food retailer, farmer’s market, or authorized online grocery retailer. Any store that is authorized to accept SNAP benefits must sell staple foods (think of your basic MyPlate food group items). SNAP participants must renew their applications or re-certify their eligibility periodically in order to continue receiving benefits. There are restrictions on what a participant can purchase with their EBT card to exclude alcohol, tobacco, and other non-food items. Any SNAP participant is given access to SNAP-Ed that provides resources and education on cost-efficient grocery shopping, nutrient-dense meal ideas, and lifestyle habits that work with their income.

How much do participants receive?

The exact amount received in benefits varies based on income, assets, taxes, and number of people in the household. It is calculated as the maximum monthly SNAP benefit minus 30% of the net monthly income (assuming 30% of net income is already spent on groceries). If a household has no net income, they qualify for the full SNAP benefit. This benefit is based on the cost of the USDA Thrifty Food Plan, a market-based computer model that estimates the minimum cost of a nutritionally adequate diet aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility Based on Income

SNAP eligibility is generally based on the criteria of income, employment, and immigration status. Citizens and legal residents of the US whose gross annual income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty line before state & federal taxes and deductions are eligible to apply for SNAP benefits. Deductions can include 20% of earned income, retirement benefits, some childcare, and other federally funded welfare programs. After taxes and deductions, a SNAP participant would likely have net annual income at or below 100% of the federal poverty line. Families should also have assets that fall below $4500 at most.

Eligibility Based on Employment

The USDA holds work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) ages 18-54 in order to qualify for SNAP. Normally, working individuals in this age group may only participate in SNAP for 3 months out of every 3 years, unless they meet an additional ABAWD work requirement by completing at least 80 hours per month of work, engaging in a qualifying work program, participating in workfare, or combining these options. Logged working hours may include paid or unpaid employment, volunteering, or even work performed in exchange for goods or services. People with physical or cognitive limitations, people who are pregnant, individuals with a household member under age 18, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and adults up to age 24 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday are all currently exempt from ABAWD rules, per the USDA. However, it is important to remember that the majority of SNAP participants are families with children under 18, older adults, or people with disabilities and do not need to meet ABAWD requirements.

Eligibility Based on Immigration Status

The Republican megabill that was passed into law in July 2025 tightened SNAP eligibility for noncitizens to only include lawful permanent residents who have endured a 5-year waiting period, people granted Cuban or Haitian entrant status, and residents under COFA. Contrary to the popular belief that this new policy only now banned undocumented immigrants from SNAP eligibility, this group of people has generally always been excluded from receiving benefits (Sec. 10108 has created reforms on any non-citizen and their eligibility). Before this past July, the inclusion criteria for legal resident non-citizens in SNAP also covered families with children, people with disabilities, refugees, victims of trafficking, people from Iraq or Afghanistan, members of Hmong or Highland Laotian tribes who assisted the US military during the Vietnam War, and people with a military connection.

Do most eligible households participate in SNAP?

Roughly 11% of the US population participates in SNAP at any given time, but it was estimated that only 70-85% of eligible households participated in 2019. (Side note:) it is difficult to find data on more recent SNAP participation due to the removal of many government-backed public health and population nutrition reports. The number of SNAP participants per state can vary month-to-month due to the frequent renewal process that doesn’t guarantee long-term participation. Full-time employees who qualify may be less likely to participate because they’re eligible for fewer benefits. Applying for and renewing SNAP benefits is also a confusing process that can inhibit people without knowledge, language, or time resources from applying. This should be discussed in another piece, but there is also a huge social stigma around people who receive federal nutrition assistance, and this may hinder people from applying or renewing their participation.

Closing Thoughts

As a dietetics student with a profound interest in both individual and systemic nutrition, there is a LOT more to be said about SNAP, both factually and opinionated. My heart is tearing at the thought of low-income Americans who are at risk of losing both their healthcare and their nutrition assistance benefits. Moreover, local food pantries and statewide food banks are stretched for resources with higher demand now. There is significant overlap between SNAP participants and Medicaid patients, and the improper allocation or distribution of government funds for these services will have significant health consequences for people in this population. In the next SNAP crash-course, I will cover the history of SNAP, how the program is funded, and recent changes to its funding. Later, I plan to write about the stigmatization of people on welfare programs and how different communities have responded to this issue. This is intended to provoke a conversation, and it’s one that we should continue to revisit. My Substack community chat board is open, and I encourage readers to share from their own perspectives. In the meantime, ask questions, think critically, and stay curious.

**Current SNAP update notes as of 11/7 at 8:45pm EST**

• On November 7th, Pam Bondi announced that the Trump administration was requesting an emergency application at the Supreme Court to resolve the issue of full funding of November SNAP benefits.

• On November 7th, the Trump administration appealed a court order by a federal judge mandating the release of full SNAP benefits using the $5.5 billion contingency fund or other allocated government funds. While this is being appealed, the contingency fund for benefits has been directed to be distributed soon.

• On November 3rd, the Trump administration announced a plan to release only half of November’s SNAP benefits.

• Many states are independently allocating funds toward November SNAP benefits, but the amount and timing vary.