Each year in late November, Americans at home and abroad celebrate Thanksgiving. It's a holiday defined by family, giving thanks for life's blessings, and of course - food. However, not every American has the same opportunity to enjoy a good meal at Thanksgiving, or at all throughout the year.
Benefits.gov is here to help guide those in need to information on federal food and nutrition assistance benefit programs. Below are just a few of the available nutrition assistance programs you may be eligible to receive.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net and provides benefits by state to low-income families and communities. Read our article SNAP: Keeping Nutrition and Health a Priority or visit the SNAP Program page to learn more about application and eligibility criteria in your state.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
You may also be interested in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC). Through WIC, pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, along with infants and children up to age five, receive supplemental foods, nutrition education, referrals, and access to health and social services at no cost. To learn more about WIC, read our article Everything You Need to Know About WIC or visit the WIC Program page.
These are just a sample of the food and nutrition benefits you or someone you know might be eligible for. Even if you do not need food or nutrition assistance, consider sharing this benefit information with others in your community. Browse the Food and Nutrition category on Benefits.gov to find more information on food assistance programs. To find out if you are eligible for these, or any of the more than 1,000 other benefits on our site, take our free and confidential Benefit Finder questionnaire.
Benefits.gov wishes you a happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for the opportunity to help Americans like you.