Definition

1. Noun:
   • A government-issued coupon or voucher that can be used in exchange for food: A "food stamp" is a form of government assistance provided to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase nutritious food. Historically, they were physical stamps or coupons, but modern systems often use electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

Usage

• The term "food stamp" is used to refer to the specific benefit itself or the program that provides it.
• It is typically used in the singular form when referring to the program or concept (e.g., "on food stamp") and in the plural form when referring to the physical or electronic benefits (e.g., "food stamps").

Examples

• Noun:
  • The family relies on food stamps to buy groceries each month.
  • She applied for food stamp benefits after losing her job.
  • The store accepts food stamps for eligible food items.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on food stamps": to receive government food assistance.
  • During the recession, many more people were on food stamps.
• "food stamp program": the official government system that provides this assistance.
  • The food stamp program is now officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Variants and Related Words

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (n): The modern, official name for the food stamp program in the United States.
  • SNAP benefits are loaded onto an EBT card each month.
• EBT card (Electronic Benefit Transfer card) (n): The card that holds and is used to spend food stamp (SNAP) benefits.
  • She paid for the bread and milk with her EBT card.
• Food voucher (n): A more general term for a ticket or document that can be exchanged for food.
  • The charity distributed food vouchers to the homeless.

Synonyms

• Nutritional assistance: Aid provided to ensure access to food.
• Food aid: Help given in the form of food or the means to buy it.

Related Phrases

• Food stamp eligibility: The criteria one must meet to qualify for benefits.
  • The counselor explained the food stamp eligibility requirements.
• Food stamp office: The local government office where one applies for benefits.
  • He visited the food stamp office to submit his application.

Noun

1. a government-issued stamp that can be used in exchange for food