Food stamps are not going away, but the programs that deliver them change regularly based on federal law and state decisions

The federal food stamp program, officially called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program), has existed since 1964 and is written into permanent law. Congress would have to pass new legislation to eliminate it entirely, which has not happened despite decades of political debate. What does change year to year is how much money Congress funds the program with, which states can adjust their own rules within federal limits, and whether temporary expansions (like those added during the pandemic) continue or end.

The most recent major change was the end of the federal pandemic boost in March 2023. During the COVID-19 emergency, SNAP households received extra money each month on top of their regular benefit. That temporary increase expired, and most households saw their monthly benefit drop. That was a real change that affected millions of people, but it was not the program ending — it was the end of emergency-level funding.

Key Takeaways

  • SNAP is permanent federal law and cannot be eliminated without Congress passing new legislation, which has not happened.
  • The pandemic-era extra money ended in March 2023, which reduced monthly benefits for most households but did not end the program itself.
  • States can change their own SNAP rules within federal limits, so your benefit amount or work requirements may shift based on where you live.
  • Congress periodically debates SNAP funding levels and may be able to access rules, but the program itself has survived these debates for nearly 60 years.

What actually changed when the pandemic boost ended

From March 2020 through March 2023, SNAP households received an extra monthly payment. The amount varied by state but was typically $95 to $200 per household per month on top of the regular benefit. This was temporary emergency funding that Congress authorized specifically for the pandemic period.

When that funding ended in March 2023, households went back to receiving only their regular SNAP benefit based on income and household size. For many people, this meant a noticeable drop in their monthly food budget. Some states briefly extended the extra money using their own funds, but most did not. This was a real reduction in benefits, but it was the end of a temporary program, not the end of SNAP itself.

If you received SNAP during the pandemic and your benefit dropped in March 2023, that is why. Your case did not close — you continued to receive SNAP at the regular benefit level unless your income or household changed.

How Congress controls SNAP funding and rules

SNAP exists because Congress passed the Food and Nutrition Act, which is permanent law. Congress does not have to reauthorize SNAP every year the way it does with some other programs. However, Congress does control how much money SNAP receives each year through the federal budget process, and it can change the rules about who is may be able to access and how much people receive.

Debates about SNAP funding happen regularly. Some members of Congress propose cutting the program, while others propose expanding it. These debates have been happening since the 1970s, and SNAP has survived them all. The program has grown and shrunk in size, but it has not been eliminated. The most recent major change to the rules was in 2018, when Congress modified work requirements for certain groups of people receiving SNAP.

If Congress were to eliminate SNAP, it would require passing a new law that explicitly ends the program. That has not happened, and there is no current legislation in Congress to do so.

What states can change about SNAP on their own

While Congress sets the basic rules for SNAP, individual states have some power to adjust how the program works within their borders. States can set their own income limits (as long as they do not go above the federal maximum), decide how often people have to report changes in their situation, and choose whether to add extra work requirements beyond what federal law requires.

This means your SNAP benefit or the rules you follow may be different from someone in another state. For example, some states have stricter work requirements than others, and some states allow people to keep more money in savings and still receive SNAP. If you move to a different state, your case will close in the old state and you will need to explore in the new state, where the rules may be different.

State changes happen more often than federal changes, so it is worth checking your state's SNAP rules periodically if you receive benefits. Your state's SNAP office (usually part of the Department of Human Services or Department of Social Services) publishes changes to the rules.

Why people worry SNAP might end

SNAP has been politically controversial since it began. Some people argue the program is too expensive or that it discourages work. Others argue it does not provide enough money for people to buy adequate food. These debates are real and ongoing, but they have not resulted in the program being eliminated.

The pandemic boost ending in 2023 made some people worry that SNAP itself might be next. That is understandable — a sudden drop in benefits feels like the program is shrinking. But the boost was always temporary, and its end did not change SNAP's permanent status. Congress would have to take a deliberate action to eliminate SNAP, and that action has not happened.

Media coverage of budget debates in Congress sometimes uses language like "SNAP could be cut" or "SNAP funding at risk," which can sound like the program might disappear. What usually happens is that Congress debates how much money to give SNAP, not whether to keep it at all.

What to do if your SNAP benefit changes

If your SNAP benefit amount drops or your case closes, you should contact your state SNAP office to find out why. Changes can happen for several reasons: your income increased, someone in your household left, you did not report a change you were supposed to report, or a policy change in your state affected your benefit.

If you believe the change is wrong, you have the right to request a hearing. Your SNAP notice should explain how to do this. You typically have 30 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing, though this varies by state. During the hearing, you can present documents and explain your situation to someone who will review the decision.

If you are struggling with a reduced benefit, your local food bank may have additional resources. You can find food banks in your area through FeedingAmerica.org or by calling 211.

Frequently Asked Questions

Could Congress eliminate SNAP tomorrow?

Technically yes, but it would require Congress to pass a new law that explicitly ends the program. SNAP is permanent law, so eliminating it requires deliberate legislative action, not just a budget decision. This has not happened in nearly 60 years despite ongoing political debate.

Will the pandemic extra money come back?

The pandemic boost ended in March 2023 and has not returned. Congress would have to pass new legislation to create another temporary increase. There is no current proposal to do so, though Congress could change this at any time.

What if my state cuts SNAP benefits?

States cannot cut SNAP benefits below the federal minimum, but they can choose not to use their own money to add extra benefits on top of the federal amount. If your state makes a change to its SNAP rules, you will receive a notice explaining the change. You can contact your state SNAP office or request a hearing if you think the change was applied incorrectly to your case.

Is SNAP the same as food stamps?

Yes. SNAP is the official name of the program, but it is still commonly called food stamps or food information. The plastic card you use to buy food is called an EBT card (Electronic Benefits Transfer card). All three terms refer to the same program.

What happens to SNAP if there is a government shutdown?

SNAP benefits are considered mandatory spending, which means they continue to be paid even if Congress does not pass a budget and parts of the government shut down. However, the staff who process new cases or handle changes may not be working during a shutdown, so applications and changes may be delayed.