SNAP recipients can get up to $1,756 if they are 8, $292 if single, or $975 for a family of four. If your budget is $975, you may want to save part of it for your Christmas meal on December 25. This is a Federal Holiday and most stores will be closed, so preparing your special meal will be necessary in order to have everything ready and to save money on Food Stamps.
Leaving your Christmas purchases for the very last minute can be risky because prices could soar dramatically. So, if you have just received your Food Stamp benefits, or you are about to get them, check the list of SNAP-eligible food items.
SNAP-eligible food items list
SNAP can help eligible Americans buy meat, poultry and fish. What is more, if you are not into meat and you need more variety, Food Stamps can buy all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
Dairy products like milk, cheese, or yogurt are also in the SNAP-eligible food items list. Snacks must always be on a Christmas table, and you can also buy them using Food Stamps. Cereals and breads are also a possibility. Some bread is always good on a Christmas meal.
Surprisingly, SNAP can buy non-alcoholic beverages. Plants and seeds are also SNAP-eligible items. So, you can grow them in your vegetable garden o ver time. Remember that you cannot buy:
- tobacco, cigarettes, liquor, beer or wine
- medicines
- supplements
- vitamins
- live animals with the exception of shellfish or fish taken out of water
- hot meals
- nonfood items (pet foods, cleaning products, hygiene items, and so on).
Meals & desserts to prepare on Christmas Day using SNAP benefits
When people think of Christmas time, many tend to think about the same meals. No doubt, these are the main meals that come to mind:
- Roast Turkey
- Glazed Ham
- Roast Beef
- Prime Rib
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sweet Potatoes or Yams
- Stuffing
- Dressing
- Pumpkin pie
- Pecan Pie
- Christmas cookies
- Yule Log Cake
For example, to prepare the Turkey Roast, you will need turkey, salt, butter, or oil, herbs, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, an orange, a lemon, broth or water, and spices. As a matter of fact, they are all SNAP-eligible items.
