A new bill in Congress could change the rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, prohibiting them from purchasing foods in a specific category that are popular with many recipients.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or “food stamps,” helps low- and no-income households in the United States buy 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
Republican Representative Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma introduced the Healthy SNAP Act, which seeks to remove soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from the list of foods that recipients can buy with their benefits.
In a statement issued on January 16, Brecheen stated that more than 20% of federal SNAP program spending goes toward junk food and sugary drinks, with sugary drinks accounting for 10%. In addition, he stated that 75% of adults and 33% of children in the United States are overweight or obese.
Currently, SNAP recipients receive their funds via Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, which they can use to purchase a wide range 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 SNAP benefits a family can receive per month have been adjusted for 2025, with a 2.5% increase in the cost of living adjustment (COLA).
For example, the maximum payment for a one-person household is $292, while the average American family (two adults and two children) receives a maximum of $976. For a family of eight, the maximum payment available is $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. Here’s a list of values for those regions.
Leave a Reply