TANF is one government-funded organization available to help with grocery savings. Others do exist. The largest and most important food assistance organization in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is specifically and wholly designed to help qualified people afford their monthly food and nutrition needs. Most federally funded benefits programs are logistically facilitated by individual U.S. states.
SNAP is no different. Funds provided to the SNAP program by the federal government are disbursed based on predetermined districts. Each district must meet employment-status minimums and proof of need to receive an appropriate allotment of usable funds. SNAP funds are then dispersed accordingly to eligible participants.
Eligibility requirements for SNAP applicants are normally based on: household income, medical or other disabilities, and additional state-imposed regulations.
There are SNAP offices in every state of the United States. Application submissions are possible in person when SNAP offices are open. Online or mail-in applications are also possible in most states.
Once approved, your SNAP cash benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card once each month for the duration of your enrollment in the program. EBT cards are very similar to a typical debit cards.
Another government-funded program that provides cash assistance for grocery expenses to needy families is The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC.
WIC provides supplemental nutrition for low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under the age of five. The program offers cash benefits, but also sends packages of food to the women and families who are enrolled in the program.
Additional government-sponsored or government-referred food assistance programs are available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a telephone hotline for up-to-date information regarding soup kitchens and food banks.