Under a new measure in Congress, participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could no longer be allowed to buy specific meals that are actually highly popular with many of them.
Households with low or no income are supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also referred to as “food stamps” or SNAP, which helps them buy food at participating businesses.
Over 40 million people were getting food stamps from the SNAP program as of mid-2023 (the most current data available), which equates to about 12.6% of the US population.
Products that can be purchased with SNAP benefits may be limited by changes
Josh Brecheen, a Republican Representative from Oklahoma, introduced the Healthy SNAP Act, which aims to remove items like candy, ice cream, soft drinks, and prepared desserts off the list of foods that participants can buy with their benefits.
Brecheen stated in a statement released on January 16 that over 20% of federal SNAP program spending is allocated to junk food and sugary beverages, with sugary drinks making about 10% of the total. In the United States, 33% of children and 75% of adults are overweight or obese, he added.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards are currently used to transfer payments to households that receive SNAP subsidies.
These cards can be used to buy a wide range of items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
However, things like alcoholic drinks, hot cooked dishes, and non-food items like cleaning supplies are not allowed. This is the point at which the bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker aims to outlaw the purchase of junk food.
2025 Tax Filing: How to Use IRS Free File to Access Your Eligible Tax Credits
What is junk food?
Foods that are lacking in vital elements like vitamins, minerals, and fiber yet heavy in calories, bad fats, sugar, and sodium are referred to as junk food. Typically, these foods are processed and include artificial components.
Junk food can include processed snacks like highly industrialized chocolate bars, candies, chips, sugary drinks, and fast food. Regular consumption can result in a number of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, despite the fact that it can be pleasant and handy.
A number of Republicans in the House of Representatives, including Glenn Grothman (Wisconsin), Dan Meuser (Pennsylvania), Mary Miller (Illinois), David Schweikert (Arizona), Andy Biggs (Arizona), Michael Cloud (Texas), and Paul Gosar (Arizona), also support the plan.
Is Your 2025 Pension Enough? How the Price Index Could Impact Retirees?
Maximum 2025 SNAP benefits
A 2.5% increase in the cost of living adjustment (COLA) was applied to the maximum SNAP benefits that a family can receive each month in 2025.
For instance, the highest payment for a one-person household is $292, whereas the maximum payment for the typical American family, which consists of two adults and two children, is $976. Then, for instance, the most amount that can be received is $1,756 for a family of eight.
Because living expenses are significantly higher in states like Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands, the maximum amounts differ from those in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. The values list for those regions is available here.
