What Is the Main Goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

December 17, 2025 •

3 min read

In an average month in 2024, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helped over 41 million low-income individuals and families across the United States afford a nutritionally adequate diet. This critical federal program serves as the nation’s most important defense against hunger and food insecurity.

Quick Summary

SNAP provides vital nutritional support to low-income households, enabling them to purchase healthy food and reducing food insecurity across the country. It also serves as an effective anti-poverty tool and economic stimulus.

Key Points

Alleviates Hunger: SNAP is the nation's primary anti-hunger program, providing food assistance to millions of low-income people.
Supports Nutritional Health: The program helps eligible households afford a nutritionally adequate diet, supporting better health outcomes for participants.
Acts as an Economic Stabilizer: SNAP benefits are quickly spent in local economies, providing an economic stimulus, particularly during recessions.
Reduces Poverty: By supplementing household food budgets, SNAP frees up income for other basic necessities, helping to lift millions out of poverty.
Helps Working Families: Many SNAP recipients are part of the workforce, using the program to supplement low or unstable wages.
Delivered via EBT: Benefits are delivered monthly on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card for grocery purchases.
Reaches Vulnerable Populations: The program disproportionately benefits children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

What is the Core Objective of SNAP?

At its core, the main goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is to help low-income individuals and families purchase the food they need to maintain good health and proper nutrition. By providing financial assistance specifically for food purchases via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, SNAP directly addresses the root cause of food insecurity among the nation's most vulnerable populations. While sometimes still referred to as food stamps, the program’s modern name reflects its broader focus on providing a foundation for better nutritional outcomes, not just subsistence. This federal program is designed to be a crucial part of the social safety net, providing a reliable source of support during periods of economic hardship, unemployment, or other life crises.

The Direct Impact on Nutrition and Food Security

The provision of monthly benefits directly impacts the nutritional well-being of millions. These funds increase a household's food buying power, allowing them to afford a wider variety of healthy foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Numerous studies have demonstrated SNAP's effectiveness in this area. For example, research shows that SNAP can reduce the overall prevalence of food insecurity by as much as 30%. By alleviating food insecurity, SNAP helps to prevent the negative health consequences associated with poor nutrition and inconsistent access to food.

Beyond Nutrition: The Broader Impacts of SNAP

The program’s reach extends far beyond simply putting food on the table. SNAP also serves as a powerful anti-poverty tool and an economic stabilizer, with benefits that ripple through local economies.

SNAP as an Anti-Poverty Tool

By providing resources for food, SNAP frees up a household's limited income for other basic needs, such as rent, utilities, and medical care. Research indicates that SNAP helps lift millions of people, including children, above the poverty line annually, and is particularly effective against deep poverty. The program is highly targeted, with a significant majority of benefits reaching households with incomes at or below the poverty line.

Supporting Workers and Stimulating the Economy

SNAP supports many working families by supplementing low wages or inconsistent pay, stabilizing family finances. SNAP benefits also act as an effective economic stimulus. Participants typically spend benefits quickly and locally, boosting economic activity. The USDA estimates that during a recession, every dollar in new SNAP benefits can generate up to $1.50 to $1.80 in economic activity.

A Comparison of SNAP's Multiple Goals


Program Goal	Description	Primary Beneficiaries
Alleviating Hunger	Provides financial assistance for food purchases to ensure access to a healthy diet.	{Link: cbpp.org https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap}.
Reducing Poverty	Frees up household income by covering food costs, allowing resources to be used for other necessities like rent and utilities.	{Link: cbpp.org https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap}.
Stimulating Economy	Injects money directly into local economies through grocery store purchases, especially during economic downturns.	Grocery stores, farmers, local economies.
Improving Health	Correlates with better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs, particularly for children and older adults.	Participants, especially children and seniors.

SNAP's Evolving Role and Future

The program has a history dating back to the Great Depression and has continued to adapt. Recent adaptations include temporary benefit increases during the COVID-19 pandemic to combat rising food insecurity and efforts to modernize access, such as enabling the use of EBT for online grocery purchases. Ongoing discussions often focus on improving benefit adequacy, as current benefits may not last for the entire month for many households. Simplification efforts like broad-based categorical eligibility also aim to improve program effectiveness. For more information on the program's history and policy, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a valuable resource.

Conclusion

The main goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fundamentally to provide nutritional support and combat hunger and food insecurity. Beyond this, it significantly impacts poverty reduction, health outcomes, and economic stability. As the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, SNAP is an essential part of the social safety net for millions of Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions

SNAP is the modern name for the federal program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. The term 'food stamps' is now obsolete, and benefits are delivered electronically via an EBT card, rather than with physical stamps or coupons.

The application process varies by state, but most states offer online applications. You can contact your local SNAP office or go to your state's social services website for detailed instructions on eligibility screening and the application process.

You can use SNAP benefits to buy most grocery items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, cereals, and even seeds and plants to grow food. Benefits cannot be used for non-food items, alcohol, or hot, prepared foods.

Most non-elderly, non-disabled adults are subject to work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. Specific rules can vary by state, but generally require working, participating in a workfare program, or job training.

SNAP eligibility is primarily based on household size, income, and expenses, with benefits targeted toward the lowest-income individuals and families. Income limits and eligibility details can vary slightly by state.

Yes, SNAP benefits provide a strong economic stimulus. Recipients tend to spend their benefits quickly at local grocery stores and markets, which increases economic activity. Research shows that every dollar in new SNAP benefits during a downturn generates significant economic activity.

A large majority of SNAP benefits are redeemed quickly. For more details, see {Link: cbpp.org https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap}.