It’s a new month and like every new month, the payments from the different federal aid programs for people in difficult situations start to arrive. This time it’s SNAP’s turn, which has undergone new changes for this month of April.
Not only will the amounts reach up to $1,756 per month, but a new schedule has also been detailed so that beneficiaries can organize themselves properly. We’ll tell you everything that has changed in SNAP and how this check that helps millions of families in the country works.
What is the SNAP program?
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and it’s a program that began in 1964 under the name Food Stamps. Its purpose has always been to help households with little or no income access nutritious and healthy food, so their nutrition is not compromised.
This credit currently works through EBT cards, that is, cards similar to debit cards that are used in supermarkets and stores associated with the SNAP program.
What changes for April?
The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA (the agency in charge of regulating food and ensuring nutrition for low-income families) adjusts SNAP benefits according to the Cost of Living Index (COLA), so it depends on the level of inflation in the country. That’s why for 2025, there have been changes in food accessibility depending, as always, on the structure of the family unit. The amount they’ll receive this year will be the following:
| Household size | Monthly benefit amount |
| 1 person | $292 |
| 2 people | $535 |
| 3 people | $768 |
| 4 people | $975 |
| 5 people | $1,158 |
| 6 people | $1,390 |
| 7 people | $1,540 |
| 8 people | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | + $219 |
When do SNAP payments arrive?
SNAP payments depend on each state, so there is no fixed date for the payment itself. They are distributed throughout the month, from the 1st to the 28th of each month to avoid system overloads. A payment calendar has also been made available so you can check when your payments will arrive.
Who qualifies for this payment?
There are three basic criteria, because the SNAP agency takes very seriously that this benefit goes to people who really need it and not just anyone who applies. The requirements are as follows:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have an income below the federal poverty level
- Have active limits below $2,750 (unless there are elderly or disabled persons)
What can be bought with SNAP and what not?
As we mentioned, SNAP is one of the benefits taken most seriously, and there are items you cannot buy or acquire with this benefit. These include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cleaning or personal hygiene products, or supplements without vitamins.
With these funds, you can buy fresh products like vegetables, meats, and also seeds in case you want to have your own garden at home.
How can you get the most out of the benefit?
Our recommendation is to go to local markets and not large chains, for example, at farmers markets you can use the Double Up Food Bucks program, which doubles the money you spend on fruits and vegetables. This way you can get more for less and you’ll also be helping the local economy.
Why is SNAP so important?
Because absolutely no one in this country should go hungry or struggle to buy food, and with inflation hitting hard, many families have nothing to eat. Preventing hunger and promoting healthy eating in a country like ours where hunger and obesity rates are through the roof should be a priority for all of us.
Also, by offering the card directly and not the food, you reduce the stigma and increase the independence of those who benefit from this payment.
