What does SNAP mean? SNAP is the acronym for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as food stamps. This program began over eighty years ago. Thanks to several acts of Congress, we have a fully operational program that helps low-income families across the United States, with each state having its own version of the program. A wide variety of people can apply for this program, including struggling students. Over the years, this program has been abused. This SNAP program dates from the second half of the 1930s, around the Great Depression. One of the worst problems of this era in our history was feeding everyone. The SAMP was first introduced in New York in 1939 and actually used orange and blue stamps, creating the term "Food Stamps". John F. Kennedy helped fuel the second stage of the process through his campaign. There was a pilot program between 1961 and 1964, filled with studies, reports and legislative proposals” (FNS). “The Federal Food Stamp Act of 1964 is the most important food plan in the United States” this is the law that started it all. “It provides food stamps to people in need that can be exchanged like cash at approved stores” (Cornell). The same year the law was passed, "there were 380,000 people in twenty-two different states." Who is eligible for this program? Food stamps are intended for “people who work for low wages, the elderly or disabled, and who have low incomes…” (Cornell). Most don't realize it, but students who are continuing their education and living away from home are eligible. The qualifications of the individual or family wishing to participate in the program determine the amount they will receive. Some of the basic eligibility requirements are required... middle of paper ....... It's been a long time since the first official program was launched in 1939. It has helped millions of people. However, the system has several flaws. The system is evolving to become more electronic and reduce fraud. Even though the Governmental Accountability Organization report shows that the program is ineffective, there are people who have actually been helped by the program. Work requirements seem like an easy solution, they would eliminate a lot of fraud from the system. When the government simply provides these benefits with simple requirements, people will take advantage of them and in turn become dependent on them. The problems with the program can be fixed, but based on information posted on the government's food and nutrition website, they are unwilling to work to resolve some of the issues raised in this essay..