Food Stamp Act

About the Act

The Food Stamp Act authorizes the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.

Legislation

• View the full text of the Food Stamp Act, as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014

Regulations and Guidance

• View the USDA's Federal Regulations: SNAP Eligibility for Students Enrolled in Higher Education [7 C.F.R. § 273.5(b)]
• View the USDA's Demystifying SNAP Student Eligibility presentation (Dec 2024)
• Visit the USDA's SNAP for Students webpage
• View the USDA's SNAP Policy Memorandum: Institutions of Higher Education and Student Eligibility Rules
• View the USDA's SNAP - Clarification of Policies Barriers Facing Homeless Youth
• View the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 - ABAWD Exceptions - Implementation Memorandum (Oct 2025; discontinues the exception for people experiencing homelessness from SNAP's Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents [ABAWD] work requirement)
• View the U.S. Department of Education's SNAP Benefits for Eligible Students guidance memo (GENERAL-25-08; Jan 2025)