SNAP food stamp program expands eligibility

Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of Americans will be newly eligible for food stamps or receive increased benefits under new rules that went into effect on Oct. 1 as a result of the 2008 farm bill.

Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center said he finds no fault with the administration's implementation of the food stamp program. But he said increases in participation might depend on how aggressively state officials and caseworkers, who administer the program, make sure eligible people get benefits. States have their own budget problems, Weill said, but he noted that food stamp users increase spending on food and other items and that increases sales tax revenues.

The administration will begin a public relations campaign to inform Americans that the name of the food stamp program has changed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and that more people will be eligible for benefits. The farm bill changed the name of the program, eased eligibility requirements and raised the minimum monthly benefit from $10 to $14. The bill provided $10 billion more over five years to pay for the expected increased number of participants and the increased benefits.

More than 28 million Americans already participate in the program at a cost of more than $60 billion per year. As the economy has faltered, the number has risen and is expected to continue to increase. Under the new rules, an applicant is allowed a $144 deduction for living expenses, and all expenses for care of children, the elderly and disabled household members can be deducted. Retirement and education savings will not be considered assets that might prevent eligibility.

The name of the food stamp program was changed because benefits are now distributed through electronic benefit debit cards rather than coupons. Each month USDA reloads cards. Studies have shown that the EBT system has reduced fraud and abuse, one reason members of Congress, particularly Republicans, were willing to increase eligibility and benefits.

States do not have to change the name of the food stamp program to SNAP and some states have chosen to continue to call the program food stamps or have chosen a different name. Some food stamp directors consider the new name "cutesy" or dislike the implication that it is a supplementary rather than basic program, one food stamp advocate said.