Guide Note

The United States food stamps program was created in 1961 to provide a safety net for millions of Americans by providing them with monthly benefits for the purchase of food. Eligible households are given an electronic benefits card that can be used at the grocery store to buy food items.

Fast Facts

1. As of 2008, over 27 million people are served by the program
2. In 2000, less than 17 million people were on food stamps
3. More than half the recipients are children
4. 15 percent of recipients are disabled
5. Almost 10% of recipients are senior citizens
6. An estimated 4 out of 10 people who qualify for food stamps are not on them
7. More than 70% of recipients are on food stamps for less than two years and 50% are on them for less than six months
8. Benefits average $100 a month per eligible person or about $1.00 per meal
9. Any food product for human consumption can be purchased with food stamps, even junk foods and soda.
10. Can not be used to buy pet foods or non-food grocery items like toilet paper, shampoo, or alcoholic beverages
11. Paper stamps have been replaced with bank-card type benefits cards

The first food stamp program in the U.S. was designed to provide unemployed people with food from surpluses. It ran successfully from 1939-1943. In 1961, an incarnation of the current food stamp program was tested and then signed into law as the Food Stamp Act of 1964. On this program, people purchased their food stamps, but received more and better food for the money spent. By 1974 15 million people were being served by this program.

The food stamp act of 1977 ended the purchase requirement for food stamps, but added stricter controls. By 1994, 28 million people were using food stamps. This number dropped substantially with changes to the program in the late 1990s and low unemployment rates. However, with rapidly rising food costs, 28 million people are expected to be on food stamps again by 2009.

1. Income of 130% or less of the U.S. poverty line
2. Less than $2,000 in assets
3. Less than $3,000 in assets if over 60 or disabled
4. A home is not counted as an asset
5. The value of a vehicle over $4,650 is counted as an asset except under certain extenuating circumstances
6. Some deductions to income apply, including an earned income deduction, dependent care, legally owed child support and shelter costs.