What are Food Stamps?

Food Stamps is a government benefit program created by The Federal Food Stamp Act of 1964.  It provides paper food coupons, which can be exchanged like money, at authorized stores for needy individuals.  The Federal Government pays for the amount of the benefit received, and the States pay the cost of determining eligibility and distributing the stamps.  In 1990, amendments to The Food Stamp Act mandated that paper food stamps must be replaced by electronic distribution benefits by October 1, 2002.  Food Stamps are the most common benefit included in EBT programs.