What are SNAP benefits? Why do 40 million individuals in the United States depend on them to survive? SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federally-funded program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low and no-income individuals. Without it, countless families throughout the nation would struggle to put food on the table. As Thanksgiving dinner looms near and with the shadow of the recent government shutdown just days behind us, SNAP is more relevant than ever before.
To give some insight on the size of SNAP, the federal government spent 99.8 billion dollars on the program in 2024’s fiscal year, serving an average of 41.7 million people each month. That is a staggering 12.3 percent of all people in the nation, which is larger than the entire population of America’s most populous state, California.
The qualifications for SNAP depend on the state in which you reside. In the state of Delaware, the maximum gross monthly income for most households is set at 200% of the federal poverty level. The main factors of eligibility for SNAP include gross monthly income as well as household size.
While SNAP once offered aid through its eponymous food stamps, the program has since transitioned to a digital platform.
Eligible households get a card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at eligible locations. Recipients get money transferred to their card monthly for food-only purchases at their local grocery stores. Ineligible consumables include vitamins, medications, tobacco products, and alcohol.
Why is SNAP in the spotlight? For the first time in the program’s history, the federal government stated that it was not going to provide the funding required to maintain SNAP benefits for all those dependent on it, starting November 1, 2025. This left approximately 120,000 Delawareans wondering how they would get food on the table.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Delaware governor, Matt Meyer. When addressing the cutting of SNAP funds, Meyer explained how our state could have continued arguing with the federal government, done nothing and ignored the situation, or found a way to continue supporting those in need. Ultimately, they decided to ensure that those 120,000 Delawareans would have a week’s worth of SNAP access in order to get by while the government was sorting matters out.
Matt Meyer states, “There is a crisis of empathy. Many people believe in the common welfare, however, a small group does not. Unfortunately, that small group has a lot of power over the federal government. I would encourage people to lead with empathy and help those in need.”
Meyer heavily stresses the importance of contributing to local communities, detailing the amazing food bank program present within Delaware and how it is among one of the top in the country. This holiday season, consider donating to your local church, neighborhood food pantries, the Delaware food bank, or any other food drives. Your smallest donation could mean that someone just like you does not go hungry.
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