ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program that helps people who don't have enough money to buy healthy food. It helps people get the food they need to stay healthy and strong.

SNAP works by giving people a special debit card called an EBT card. The EBT card is like a magic card that can only be used to buy healthy food. Just like your mommy or daddy has a card that lets them take money out of the bank, the EBT card lets people take money out of SNAP so they can buy food.

The food that can be bought with SNAP is picked carefully to help people stay healthy. Foods like fruits, vegetables, bread, cereal, dairy products (like milk and cheese), and meat are allowed, but things like candy, soda, or hot prepared meals (like from a restaurant) are not allowed.

Everyone who wants to use SNAP has to fill out a special form to show they don't have enough money for food. After that, they get their EBT card and can start shopping for healthy food. And the best part is, they can go back to the store as much as they need to every month to get more food on their EBT card.

So basically, SNAP is a helpful program that gives people a special card so they can buy healthy food, stay strong and healthy, and not worry about going hungry.