Government food assistance programs.
The federal government has a number of assistance programs that will help low-income families get the food they need. There are state as well as federal benefits, including from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The government, often partnering with local charity groups, distributes food, groceries, and meals to people in need.
There are different programs based on the applicant’s need. For example, senior citizens can get government commodities while new, low-income parents may get baby formula from the government. There are also resources for kids, students, families living in poverty and others. More information on these government programs for free or low cost food are below.
Food benefits from the government for low-income families
SNAP Food Stamps help low-income families pay for groceries using an EBT debit card. When qualified, the government will provide the individual or family money to be spent at the grocery store or other approved retailer. Food stamps (which may go by different names in different states) is the primary government benefit programs that is used to pay for groceries. Get details on the SNAP benefit program.
- The federal SNAP program allows some other types of products (including hot meals) to be bought using an EBT card, if the store or restaurant agrees to it. As it is possible to use this benefit to pay for fast food, hot meals at a restaurant, convenience stores items and more. Find restaurants for SNAP.
There are emergency applications to SNAP too. Low-income families or those with no money who are facing imminent hunger and can’t wait for a local social service agency to process applications for regular SNAP can try the expedited program. The federal government, working with states, will try to approve applications within a matter of days vs. weeks. This will ensure a family gets what they need as soon as possible, and learn how to get food stamps expedited.
WIC provides free infant - baby formula, milk, healthy food and other services to new, low-income parents or single mothers. The federal government benefit is formally known as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and applications are processed by local human or social service offices. The goal is to ensure pregnant women, or newly born children, get formula, milk, food and more. Find details on the WIC benefit.
Government food programs for kids and students
The federal School Lunch and Breakfast Program helps feed kids at school. The government provides free or low-cost food and meals to students. It in effect saves parents money from having to buy groceries for their kids to feed them while the are at school. Even children who have moderate income may be able to get reasonably priced breakfast or lunch meals, so this benefit is not only for students that come from a household living in poverty. Get more details on the School Lunch and Breakfast program.
Summer Food Service Program helps feed children when they are on break. This is a service that offers free groceries, meals, food and snacks to students during the months when school is not in session, such as summer or winter break. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) but is administered locally by churches, pantries, and non-profits such as the Salvation Army. So when a student can’t get a hot lunch or breakfast at their school, this program may be able to help. Read more on Summer Food Service Program.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program is a partnership of the federal government, states, and local non-profits. Each state will receive surplus food from the federal government. The state social services will then work with local food banks and pantries, veteran organizations, churches, soup kitchens, charities, and non-profits in order to distribute the items to the needy. All of the support from the government, including groceries as part of TEFAP is free. Continue with the TEFAP Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has a Food and Nutrition Service that administer many programs for low-income families and those in poverty. They help feed children, the disabled and elderly. There are discounts, free food programs, and other government assistance offered. Get a list of their resources from USDA.
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