Managing Food Stamp Benefits

Rising food prices make it difficult to budget benefits from the food stamp program (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP). However, there are ways to stretch those food dollars to accommodate your needs. Here are some tips to help you manage your food budget:  

Don’t rush to the grocery – You don’t have to spend your food stamp benefits as soon as you receive them in your EBT card. Leftover benefits won’t expire. They will be carried over in the following month. With that in mind, be sure that you plan your groceries carefully so you can make the most out of the benefits.

Capitalize on frequent shopper offers – If you like shopping at popular grocery stores, inquire about “frequent-shopper” offers. Frequent shoppers usually get special discounts on items in the groceries. That’s very important when trying to cut down on food costs.

Use the sale flyer to your benefit – Knowing which items are on sale can help you maximize your savings. If you’re into collecting coupons, you may want to match the coupons with the items on the flyer to increase your discounts further. Be careful, though. Some people end up buying items just because they’re on sale. Stick to your grocery list. Only buy discounted items on your list. Anything beyond that is a waste of money.

Don’t forget your local farmers’ markets – If you need fresh, affordable produce, your local farmers’ market is a great option. More farmers’ markets are now capable of accepting food stamps.

Sign up on the box at the right for food stamp application guidelines, contact information for your state plus other sources of financial help available in your city.