Food Assistance

Food assistance programs help people and families in the United States afford groceries and meals. The largest is SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once called food stamps), which loads a monthly amount onto an EBT card you can use at most grocery stores. WIC supports pregnant women, new mothers, and young children with healthy food and nutrition help. Schools offer free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for kids from lower-income households, and older adults may qualify for senior food programs such as commodity food boxes and home-delivered meals. Each program has its own income limits and application steps, and most are run by your state or local agency. Our guides explain who qualifies for each food assistance program, how to apply, and where to find the official application — with every fact linked to a .gov source.