SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people with low income get the food they need for good health. SNAP benefits are used in place of cash to buy food. Most people must spend some cash along with their SNAP benefits to buy enough food for a month.

The SNAP Section has the responsibility for administering Arkansas' SNAP Program within the Division of County Operations. The Section is responsible for the following: analysis of issues, laws, and regulations governing the SNAP Program. The SNAP Section develops policy and procedures, monitors compliance with Federal Regulations, which relate to timeliness and accuracy, as well as, compliance with regulations governing the delivery of SNAP benefits.

SNAP is funded with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services dollars. We offer SNAP-ed classes through Extension as well.

Annually over $200 million in benefits are authorized for eligible participants in the SNAP Program.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamp Program) provides food assistance to eligible households to cover a portion of a household's food budget. Benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items for home consumption including seeds and plants which produce food for consumption by SNAP households. Farmers markets are available for SNAP benefits as well as eligible retailers. In addition to food assistance, the program provides SNAP recipients with nutrition education, employment and training, and work experience in some cases.