One of the most prominent governmental schemes to help the United States population get a balanced diet is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The program issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. The aim is to help low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families with as balanced a diet as possible.
The money can be used to buy food products such as bread and cereal, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, and dairy products.
Seeds and plants that then produce food for the household can also be purchased with SNAP benefits.
There are rules about what cannot be purchased, though. SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco.
They also can’t be used for non-food items such as pet food, soap, household supplies and medicine. The money is strictly for the feeding of a family. Food to be eaten in a store and hot food cannot be purchased either.
How do you apply for SNAP benefits?
The first step is to gather all of the necessary documentation, which will be related to your household income and the number of children or dependants living with you.
Examples include pay stubs, list of household resources, current rent/mortgage statement, current property tax bill, current homeowners insurance bill and your Social Security card.
Most households applying for SNAP no longer have to pass a savings/resource…
