The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a financial assistance program that provides money to low-income individuals and families specifically for food and groceries. SNAP, also referred to as food stamps, comes in the form of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) debit card that you can use to pay for food like you would with a debit card. 

However, you can only use food stamps to purchase SNAP-approved foods. The program is meant to promote healthy, nutritious eating and help people get better access to healthy foods that are often more costly.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a subset of the SNAP program that provides financial assistance, nutritional education, and, sometimes, breastfeeding support services. The WIC program benefits both mothers and children by helping women access infant food, WIC approved formula, and other baby-specific items.

Both WIC and SNAP receive funds from the federal government as well as the state government in which you reside. Each state manages its own SNAP and WIC programs, but the programs are overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which allocates funds, sets regulations and program qualifications, and approves programming.

The requirements to get food stamps through the SNAP program vary from state-to-state. However, you must typically meet your state’s standards for low-income status based on your family size and location. Your state may have additional requirements, and, depending on all factors, you may receive the maximum SNAP benefits provided to an individual or family in your state.

You may be able to receive WIC program assistance if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Be pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding
• Have infants or children 5 years of age or younger
• Be a resident of the state in which you’re applying for assistance
• Be diagnosed at nutritional risk by a medical professional (qualifying conditions include anemia, pregnancy complications, underweight, or inconsistent nutrition)
• Meet standards of low-income based on your family size

Although each SNAP and WIC office may have different application requirements, you can generally follow these steps to apply for food stamps and receive WIC and/or SNAP benefits in your state:

1. See if you qualify. Visit your state’s SNAP or WIC office website to view your state’s specific requirements for each program. Here, you should also find instructions for how to apply.

2. Fill out a WIC or food stamp application. Depending on how your state accepts applications, you may be able to fill out the application online through your local SNAP agency’s website, or you may need to visit the agency in-person at your local SNAP or WIC office. You may also need to provide information about your family composition, household income, employment status, and more.

3. Get your EBT card. You can use the money on this card to purchase SNAP-approved food and supplies at your local grocery store, convenience store, or another location that accepts SNAP and WIC benefits as payment. You can get items like WIC approved formula, fruits and vegetables, bread, eggs, milk, and cheese.

Participate in other programming. Your state agency may require that you complete in-person or online educational programming, like WIC classes online, that can teach you and your family about how to make the most of your benefits, use healthy ingredients in meals, and live a healthy lifestyle.