Food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government assistance program that provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families to help them buy food. SNAP is the largest nutrition assistance program in the United States, serving over 40 million people in 2021.To be eligible for SNAP, individuals and families must meet certain income and resource requirements. Homeless people often face challenges in meeting these requirements, as they may not have a permanent address or a steady income. However, there are provisions in place to help homeless people access SNAP benefits.
The Homeless Eligibility Option allows states to provide SNAP benefits to homeless people who do not meet the traditional eligibility requirements. To qualify for the Homeless Eligibility Option, individuals must be living in a shelter, or in a place not designed for human habitation, such as a car or park. They must also be unable to prepare and cook their own food due to a disability or lack of access to cooking facilities.In addition, states may have their own programs to provide food assistance to homeless people who do not qualify for SNAP.
