Fact Check: Food stamps are formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Fact Check: "Food stamps are formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)."

What We Know

The claim that "food stamps" are formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is accurate. The SNAP program is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, designed to provide food purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. It was established to replace the previous Food Stamp Program, which was officially renamed in 2008 as part of the Food and Nutrition Act of that year (USDA, ERS, SSA Handbook § 2108). In fiscal year 2023, SNAP served an average of 42.1 million participants per month, costing approximately $112.8 billion (USDA, ERS).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple reliable sources. The USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) confirms that SNAP is the formal name for what was previously known as the Food Stamp Program (USDA, ERS). This transition in naming reflects broader changes in the program's structure and objectives, aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for low-income households.

Additionally, the USDA Fact Sheet explicitly states that SNAP provides nutrition assistance through monthly benefits, which can be used to purchase food. This aligns with the historical context provided by the Wikipedia entry, which outlines the evolution of the program from food stamps to SNAP, emphasizing its role in enhancing food security for eligible populations.

The claim is further supported by the Congressional Research Service, which notes that the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 officially changed the name from the Food Stamp Program to SNAP, reinforcing the program's focus on nutrition assistance rather than merely providing food stamps (Congressional Research Service).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The assertion that food stamps are formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is true. The evidence consistently supports this claim, detailing the program's history, purpose, and current structure. The transition from the Food Stamp Program to SNAP reflects a broader commitment to improving nutrition and food security among low-income households.

Sources

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. PDF Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Fact Sheet - USDA
3. SSA Handbook § 2108
4. PDF Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): A Primer on ...
5. Assistance for People of All Ages | Food and Nutrition Service
6. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Wikipedia