The food assistance program, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps low income individuals and families put food on their table. Food Assistance benefits are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through county job and family services departments and are used to purchase grocery items at participating grocery stores.

Eligibility is based on federal guidelines and looks at income, allowable expenses (e.g. rent/mortgage, utility bills, child care, child support), household size and resources in some situations.