The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline for many people across the United States, including in New Jersey. It helps low-income families, seniors, and individuals afford groceries during difficult times. If you’ve heard of “food stamps,” SNAP is the modern version of that program—only now, everything is done electronically through an EBT card, which works just like a debit card at most grocery stores.
This program is more than just food assistance—it gives people dignity and peace of mind. Instead of stressing about where their next meal will come from, they can focus on work, family, or their health.
2025 Income Limits to Qualify for SNAP in New Jersey
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in 2025, your monthly income must be within the following limits based on household size:
1-person household: $1,968
2-person household: $2,658
3-person household: $3,349
4-person household: $4,040
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the average benefit per person this year is around $187 per month, which is about $6.16 per day.
What Can SNAP Be Used For?
People often think SNAP is only for buying food, but its use is flexible. Many recipients use their EBT cards for essential items like baby formula and diapers—things that are very expensive but necessary.
However, others also use it to buy junk food like chips, soda, and candy. While this may seem odd, it actually makes sense when you consider that healthy food usually costs more. With a tight budget, people often choose cheaper, less nutritious items to stretch their money further.
New Bill May Change What You Can Buy
In 2025, Senator Rand Paul has introduced a new bill called the Nutritious SNAP Act. This bill is aimed at changing what SNAP benefits can be used to buy. If passed, it would ban SNAP users from purchasing the following items:
Soda
Candy
Ice cream
Potato chips
Cookies
Pies
Brownies & brownie mix
The bill also proposes that beverages be limited to:
Water
Cow’s milk
Healthy milk alternatives (like soy or almond milk)
100% fruit or vegetable juice
States May Get More Control
Another major change the bill introduces is to give individual states more power to decide which foods they want to restrict further. This means New Jersey could soon have its own list of banned or restricted food items for SNAP users.
Supporters of the bill say it will promote better health and encourage personal responsibility, while critics worry it may limit choices for families who are already struggling.
