Food Stamps: Recent Developments

In 2008 the United States food stamp program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and paper coupons were phased out. Users now receive Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards that work like debit cards.

Food stamp users had always encountered some restrictions on what they could buy with the coupons. Liquor and tobacco were excluded, as were hot prepared foods, such as rotisserie chicken and takeout meals. However, junk foods, such as soda, candy, sweetened cereals, chips, cookies, and chocolate, are permitted.