Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(The Facts, The Feelings & A Story) 

by Suzanne July, 1 2013

The United States Department of Agriculture is the government agency that oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families. Benefits may be available even if you receive income from work, Social Security or a retirement pension, disability benefits, child support, or unemployment. The amount of benefits vary and depend on household size, income, and certain household monthly expenses. On the website you can find out if you're eligible, apply for benefits by state, and find nutritional information.

Those are the facts, now here are the feelings: if you need benefits and you are eligible, do not feel ashamed. All of us, in one way or another, need help. SNAP benefits are a resource families can use during difficult times. These benefits help you buy nutritious food for your family and can be an important addition to stretch your budget. Children need good nutrition for development, adults need good nutrition to be productive workers, and the elderly and disabled need good nutrition to stay healthy.

All this being said, there are judgemental people in this world. I have used “food stamps” during two seasons of my life and, on occasion, felt the need to justify myself. But what I learned is the more I justified myself to others, the worse I felt about myself. Through food stamps, I learned that a resource, even government assistance, can not define me. Just as my gender, weight, or skin color can not define me. In fact, I have learned that talking about receiving food stamps can change stereotypes. And changing stereotypes is a good thing. Read one woman's story about receiving SNAP benefits at Live 58.

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