On October 1, 2008, Congress renamed the Food Stamp program, created by the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is intended to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s population by raising levels of nutrition among low-income households.

The term “SNAP benefits” means the value of supplemental nutrition assistance provided to a household by means of an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 or other means of provided assistance, as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The statute, court orders, and interagency agreement define SSA employees’ legal obligations regarding SNAP. For detailed information related to SNAP policies and procedures, follow the instructions in subchapter SI 01801.000.