Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Essay

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a policy that was created to provide aid to many low-income families and individuals by offering nutritional assistance. SNAP was also formerly known as food stamps and it is one of the many federal nutrition assisted programs created by the Food and Nutrition Service that is working to end national hunger and obesity. The goal of these programs are to assist families with better food security and reducing hunger by supplying them with access to food, education in nutrition, and a healthful diet. This is possible by making relatively expensive resources such as vegetables and fruits more accessible to those with a low-income. The main social problem this policy intends to address is hunger caused by poverty. Poor nutrition is a major …show more content…
To be eligible for SNAP, a households income and resources must satisfy three tests. The first test is the gross monthly income of that household, and that is income before any of the programs deductions are applied. Usually must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line. The poverty level is higher for those with more family members included in the household and lower for those with smaller families. The second test is the household 's net income, or income after deductions are applied. This also must be at or below the poverty line in order to be eligible. The last test is that the households assets must fall below a certain limit. For example, households without a disabled or elderly must have assets at or below $2250, and those with a disabled or elderly must have assets of $3250 or less. In general, those who are applying must also meet work requirements which can include registering for work, not voluntary reducing hours or quitting a jobs, taking a job if offered, and participating in programs assigned by the State like employment and