A proposed bill in Congress may restrict SNAP recipients from purchasing certain foods that are popular among them.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as “food stamps,” helps low- and no-income households in the US purchase food at participating establishments.
According to data from mid-2023 (the most recent available), over 40 million people were receiving food stamps through the SNAP program, accounting for approximately 12.6% of the US population.
Changes could limit products that can be purchased with SNAP benefits
The Healthy SNAP Act, introduced by Republican Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, aims to exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from the list of foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
On Jan. 16, Brecheen stated that over 20% of federal SNAP program spending is allocated to junk food and sugary drinks, with sugary drinks accounting for 10%. Furthermore, he stated that 75% of adults and 33% of children in the US are overweight or obese.
SNAP recipients use EBT cards to purchase a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, breads, cereals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
However, hot prepared foods, alcoholic beverages, and non-food products such as cleaning supplies are not permitted. This is where the Republican legislator’s bill attempting to prohibit the purchase of junk food comes into play.
What is junk food?
Junk food is defined as foods high in calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium, but low in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These foods are typically processed and contain artificial ingredients.
Junk food includes fast food, sugary drinks, candy, chips, and processed snacks like highly industrialized chocolate bars. Although it is tasty and convenient, consuming it on a regular basis can lead to a variety of health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Several Republicans in the House of Representatives support the bill, including Andy Biggs (Arizona), Michael Cloud (Texas), Paul Gosar (Arizona), Glenn Grothman (Wisconsin), Dan Meuser (Pennsylvania), Mary Miller (Illinois), and David Schweikert (Arizona).
Maximum SNAP benefits for 2025
The maximum monthly SNAP benefits for families have been adjusted for 2025, with a 2.5% increase in the cost of living adjustment (COLA).The maximum payment for a one-person household is $292, while the average American family with two adults and two children receives $976. A family of eight can receive a maximum payment of $1,756.
These values only apply to the 48 contiguous states and DC. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have higher living costs, so their maximum amounts differ. The list of values for these regions is available here.
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