Release No. 0241.08
Contact: Regan Hopper (703) 305-2281
Printable version
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Putting Healthy Food within Reach WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2008
-USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services today announced the advent of a
new era in nutrition assistance at USDA. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) is the new name of the Food Stamp Program, as a result of the
recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), also
known as the Farm Bill. The new name, effective October 1, more accurately
reflects the Program's mission to provide food assistance and nutrition
education to assist participants as they move to a healthier lifestyle and
self-sufficiency.
"The national name change and implementation of the Farm Bill provisions
strengthens the ability to more effectively put healthy food within reach by
increasing access to all who are eligible," said USDA Under Secretary for Food,
Nutrition and Consumer Services Nancy Montanez Johner. "This is a great
opportunity to showcase this effective and efficient modern nutrition program
and make clear to all that SNAP puts healthy food within reach of low income
Americans."
USDA is working closely with State agencies, retailers, community and
faith-based organizations and other partners to ensure successful and seamless
implementation of the national name change and other components of the Farm
Bill.
SNAP will continue to be the largest domestic nutrition assistance program
providing a vital supplement to the food budgets of more than 28 million
low-income individuals each month. Today, participants access benefits with
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, similar to debit cards - not stamps or
coupons. Procedures and application requirements for these benefits will remain
the same. States are not required to change their program name to SNAP.
Other provisions of the Farm Bill effective October 1 include the exclusion
of retirement and education savings accounts and combat pay when determining
eligibility, and an increase in the minimum benefit.
USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs reach one in five Americans each year
and are designed to increase access to a healthful diet and work in concert to
form a national safety net against hunger. Funding for nutrition assistance has
increased to $60.1 billion - a 76 percent increase since 2001. During the same
timeframe, almost 10.5 million more low-income children and individuals received
food stamp benefits and the percentage of eligible individuals participating in
the program rose from 54 percent in 2001 to 67 percent in 2006.
For more information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program visit
www.fns.usda.gov/snap
Last modified:
12/05/2008
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