The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people pay for food. Those eligible for Food Stamps use either coupons or a debit card just like money to buy food at any participating store, supermarket, or food co-op. Eligible households do not have to pay for Food Stamps. Unlike most other public benefits, this program looks at the income and resources of the household, instead of individuals. Income includes money that comes into the household each month from Social Security, wages, or other sources.
Resources refers to the value of items owned and money left at the end of the month.
For example, the value of a house is an exempt resource. The amount of Food Stamps a person can receive depends on the total income of all persons in the household. The monthly benefit may not be enough to cover all food expenses. However, the amount received will help by reducing how much the person has to spend on food and increasing the money available to cover other needs, such as medicine and utility bills. Medicaid Medicaid helps people with low income pay for medical bills.