A balanced diet is essential for the overall well-being of humans, leading us to function at maximum capacity creating a better society and higher standard of living. Food stamps, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Food stamps is a program involving service of food and nutrition services. SNAP is managed at the state level; that is, each state operates its agency coordinating the program.
SNAP or food stamps are made available to families with low-income earners, women, infants, children, school children, elderly, homeless, and disabled. It aims to attain the self-sufficiency potential for families, hoping a stage without the need for food stamps is reached. SNAP helps achieve focus in work, school, and family by easing the burden of nutrition.
SNAP or food stamps provide households with grocery stipends for the decided length of time and certification periods. Electronic Benefits cards, which replaced the coupon system in June 2009, are used in participating stores and online retailers.
SNAP or food stamps have evolved over the years, as they can now be used to purchase groceries not just physically but also online. This helped a lot, especially during the time of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Products included in the program
It is important to note that the food stamps do not cover the purchase of all services at grocery stores. It is limited to food products such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and poultry
- Diary
Food stamps do not cover services such as
- Non-edibles
- Hot foods (except for disabled and elderly)
- Cigarette and alcoholic beverages
- Medicine and supplements
- Cleaning supplies
The active SNAP plans
- Simplified reporting of four-six month certifications; this is for short term
- Simplified reporting 12-month certification checklist
- Simplified reporting 24 months certification checklist; this is for elderly over 60 years of age or disabled.
- Ten days reporting classification checklist ( with employed members )
Conclusion
As long as the conditions required are met, food stamps or SNAP has proven helpful in every aspect. The replacement stamps that aid in case of power outages that lead to loss of nutritional resources have a large percentage of efficacy. Food stamps were of tremendous help and importance during the Covid-19 pandemic and have grown more used.