The domestic policy package the Senate passed on Tuesday includes cuts to SNAP, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once known as food stamps. Republicans say the program is badly managed and discourages people from working; opponents of the bill say the proposed cuts would leave millions of adults and children hungry and burden states with new costs.
The bill, championed by President Trump, now heads back to the House, which can approve, amend or reject it. Here’s what we know about SNAP, and what could change.
What are SNAP benefits?
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is how the federal government helps people buy food if they cannot afford it. About 42 million Americans, living in 22 million households, use SNAP.
Who qualifies?
Almost anyone whose income is at or below the poverty line set by the federal government in a given year. The amount is determined by the cost of necessities like food, clothes and housing, following the Consumer Price Index.
In 2025, that number is $15,060 or less for one person, or $30,000 for a household of four. Many people and households can be eligible under certain other circumstances: if they include children, are disabled or are age 60 or older.
How much do people get to spend?
The amount is adjusted each year, according to federal guidelines. In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit for one person is $292. For a household of four, it’s $975.
The amount also depends on which state recipients live in, and on factors like whether anyone in the household has a steady income, or is a dependent. In New York and Oregon, for instance, the average benefit per person is $5.77 per day; in South Carolina, it’s $6.11; in Louisiana, $6.16.
How do people use SNAP?
The system is fully electronic, eliminating the paper food stamps that used to be presented at checkout. Each month, a dollar amount is loaded onto a card, which is used like a debit or credit card.
What can SNAP be used for?
Almost any food sold at a grocery store, including soda, chips, candy and snacks. (Some states have enacted rules that prevent SNAP money from being spent on soda and candy.) It can’t be used, however, for hot or cooked food, or for anything other than food.
Where can SNAP be used?
At most grocery stores, and many convenience stores, dollar stores, farmers’ markets and pharmacies that sell food, like Walgreens and CVS. In some states, SNAP cards can be used to order from online markets like Walmart and Amazon.
What are the proposed changes?
The policy bill that passed the Senate would make it more difficult for people to qualify for benefits, and reduce those benefits for those who are eligible. For example, under the current rules, most people — except parents with dependents — must remain in the work force until age 54 in order to qualify. The bill would raise the working age to 64, and exclude only parents with children younger than 7.
The federal government has always paid for the benefits, while the states assume the cost of managing the program. The new bill would require states to assume some of the benefit costs, and would penalize them for making erroneous payments. (Carve-outs added to the bill would partly shield Alaska and Hawaii from the changes.)
Do recipients have to be U.S. citizens?
In most cases, yes. But people who are refugees, have been granted asylum, are from Cuba or Haiti, or belong to certain other groups, are eligible if they meet the income requirements. Green-card holders and permanent residents must wait five years to receive benefits.
How many people would be affected?
Millions would lose their benefits altogether, and many more would receive less than they do now. The bill the Senate approved, if passed by the House, would enact the biggest cut to SNAP since the food stamp program began in 1939, during the Great Depression.
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