Understanding SNAP: How the U.S. Food Assistance Program Works and What Proposed Changes Could Mean

The Senate recently approved a domestic policy package that includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federally funded food aid initiative formerly known as food stamps. Republican lawmakers argue the program is poorly managed and discourages employment, while opponents warn that the proposed reductions would leave millions of adults and children facing hunger and burden states with additional costs.

The bill, championed by former President Donald Trump, now returns to the House of Representatives, which may pass, amend, or reject it. Here is what is currently known about SNAP and the potential changes ahead.

Key Facts About SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the federal government’s primary method of helping individuals and families purchase food when they cannot afford it. Approximately 42 million Americans across 22 million households rely on SNAP benefits.

Eligibility generally extends to those whose annual income falls at or below the federal poverty line, which is calculated based on essential living costs such as food, clothing, and housing, and is adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index.

For 2025, the poverty threshold stands at $15,060 or less for an individual, and $30,000 or less for a family of four. Additional eligibility criteria apply for households with children, individuals with disabilities, or those aged 60 and over.

Benefit amounts are updated annually in accordance with federal guidelines. In 2025, the maximum monthly allotment is $292 for a single person and $975 for a family of four.

The exact benefit amount varies by state and factors such as whether any household members have steady income or are dependents. For example, the average daily SNAP benefit per person is $5.77 in New York and Oregon, $6.11 in South Carolina, and $6.16 in Louisiana.

The SNAP system operates entirely electronically, replacing the old paper food stamps. Each month, funds are loaded onto a card that functions like a debit or credit card.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase nearly all food items sold at grocery stores, including soft drinks, chips, sweets, and snacks. Some states restrict the use of benefits for sugary beverages and junk food. However, funds cannot be spent on hot or prepared foods, nor on non-food items.

SNAP cards are accepted at most grocery stores, as well as many convenience stores, dollar stores, farmers markets, and pharmacies that sell food, such as Walgreens and CVS. In certain states, SNAP benefits can also be used for online grocery orders through retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

The Senate-approved bill would tighten eligibility rules and reduce benefits for many recipients. Currently, most individuals—except parents with dependents—must remain in the workforce until age 54 to qualify. The new legislation would raise that work requirement age to 64, exempting only parents with children under seven years old.

While the federal government funds the benefits, states cover the administrative costs of running the program. The proposed bill would require states to share some of the benefit costs and impose penalties on states for erroneous payments. Certain provisions aim to partially shield Alaska and Hawaii from these changes.

Most immigrants are eligible for SNAP, but refugees, asylees, and individuals from countries such as Cuba and Haiti may qualify if they meet income requirements. Green card holders and permanent residents must wait five years before accessing benefits.

If enacted by the House, millions of Americans could lose their benefits entirely, while many more would receive reduced assistance. This legislation would represent the largest cuts to SNAP since the food stamp program began during the Great Depression in 1939.