A more thorough explanation:

Food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a government program that provides assistance to individuals and families who struggle to afford food. The program provides a monthly benefit that can be used like money to purchase food items at authorized stores.

To be eligible for food stamps, individuals must meet certain requirements. These include having a household income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line, having assets below $2,500 in value, and being a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Eligibility also depends on factors such as the number of dependents in the household and the amount of working hours by applicants.

The amount of SNAP benefits an individual or household receives depends on a variety of factors, including income and dependents. The benefit amount is calculated by taking the maximum SNAP amount for the household size and subtracting 30% of their net income. Deductions are subtracted from gross income, including a standard deduction based on household size and expenses like medical costs. Further deductions may apply, such as for child support or costs for dependents.

Food stamps is not the only government program that provides assistance with food. Other programs include the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which provides federal grants of money and food to schools and child-care institutions to serve well-balanced meals and snacks to children, and the Special Supplemental Food Program For Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which provides food for pregnant and nursing women, as well as infants and children under five years old.

An example of how food stamps work is if a family of four has a monthly income of $1,500 and meets the eligibility requirements for SNAP. The maximum SNAP benefit for a family of four is $680. Subtracting 30% of their net income ($450), the family would receive a monthly benefit of $230. This benefit can be used to purchase food items at authorized stores.

Another example is if an individual has a monthly income of $800 and meets the eligibility requirements for SNAP. The maximum SNAP benefit for one person is $204. Subtracting 30% of their net income ($240), the individual would not receive any SNAP benefits as their net income is higher than the maximum benefit amount.

These examples illustrate how the amount of SNAP benefits an individual or household receives depends on their income and other factors.