MILLIONS of Americans may be unaware that their food stamps can expire if they’re not careful.
Referred to as Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits today, they help low-income households buy food.
SNAP benefits help American families buy groceries (stock image)[/caption]
SNAP supplements families’ grocery budgets with monthly payments so they can afford the items “essential to health and well-being,” per the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
Amid the technological advancements of the 21st century, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards replaced the physical food stamp coupons for good in June 2004.
They’re effectively debit cards that are reloaded each month by the federal government and can be used at most retailers.
Except, many SNAP receipts are likely unaware that their EBT card could lead to the expiration of benefits.
Basically, it’s a use it or lose it policy.
Should a recipient have a period of inactivity where they don’t use the EBT card for nine months or longer, the benefits placed on it will be permanently forfeited, per The National Council on Aging (NCOA).
In many states there’s also an “offline” status posted to SNAP accounts if the EBT cards aren’t used for three months.
That means the EBT card can’t be used until it’s activated again.
This must be done through a renewal process online or by mail before the expiration date a recipient has been given.
It’s best for recipients to contact their state’s SNAP office directly for more specific instructions.
This helps ensure they meet the requirements, along with providing the appropriate documents.
INCOME ISSUE
SNAP benefits can also be partially lost or completely lost if household income increases.
It’s the recipient’s responsibility to report the changes to their income and proof of employment.
Those who don’t report the changes can be banned from SNAP forever.
What are SNAP benefits?
Over 41 million people in America receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households to help people get groceries.
Recipients get money on a debit card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.
The amount of money distributed depends on several factors including how much money you make, how much money you receive from other benefits, and how many people are in your household.
The electronic benefits can help people buy food including food and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and snacks.
You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
Source: USDA
In serious cases, they could face a fine of up to $250,000 and jail time of up to 20 years for being caught lying or withholding information.
CARRIED OVER
It’s also important to note that SNAP benefits roll over on a monthly basis.
That means that the entire balance on the card for the month doesn’t have to be completely used.
Any unused benefits also remain on the EBT card for up to one year from the date that the credit was issued.
For example, if a household received SNAP benefits in September 2025, they would have until September 2026 to use the entire credit up for that distribution period.
BAN INCOMING
SNAP recipients in at least 12 states will also be banned from purchasing certain processed and sugary foods and drinks in 2026.
In August, the Trump administration confirmed that six new states — Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia — were added to the list.
The first six were Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah.
Restrictions differ from state to state, with most having widespread bans on the use of EBT cards for soda and sweetened beverages.
Still, Florida and Lousiana also have bans on energy drinks and candy, per Straight Arrow News.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins supported the 12 states’ decision, arguing that SNAP is only meant to be used for nutritious items.
“SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide healthy food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,” Rollins said in a statement.
“That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump’s USDA plans to deliver on it.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr also applauded the bans.
“US taxpayers should not be paying to feed kids foods, the poorest kids in our country, with foods that are going to give them diabetes,” Kennedy said in an X post.
“And then my agency ends up, through Medicaid and Medicare, paying for those injuries.”
“We’re going to put an end to that, and we’re doing it step by step, state by state,” he added.
Four other states have also expanded laws banning a common grocery essential this summer.
At least twelve others have also followed a July 1 ban that involves a common product seen at restaurant chains and stores, with violators facing a potential $50 daily fine.
