Food Assistance Glossary
Plain-English definitions for 25 US food-assistance acronyms. Each term links to the Feed America surface where you can act on it.
Quick links
SNAPEBTWICTEFAPCSFPNSLPSBPSFSPCEPD-SNAPFQHCFNSFDPIRFPLFRACHSDSSDOHSFMNPFMNPTANFLIHEAPSSI211EINNTEESNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The largest US federal food-assistance program. Issues a monthly cash-equivalent benefit on an EBT card, redeemable at SNAP-authorized retailers. Eligibility: typically income at or below 130% of federal poverty + asset limit. ~42M Americans participate.
EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer
The card on which SNAP, WIC (in some states), and TANF benefits are loaded. Functions like a debit card at the register. The "EBT card" is the operational tool; SNAP is the funding program.
WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
Federal program serving pregnant parents, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding parents, and children under 5. Provides food vouchers (or EBT card in most states) for specific food packages, infant formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling. Income limit: 185% of federal poverty.
TEFAP The Emergency Food Assistance Program
USDA program that buys commodity foods (canned vegetables, fruit, dairy, grains, lean protein, peanut butter) and distributes them through state-administered food banks to local pantries. Most pantry food labeled "USDA" is TEFAP. Eligibility varies by state — typically 130-185% FPL.
CSFP Commodity Supplemental Food Program
USDA program providing a monthly food package specifically for low-income seniors aged 60+. Income limit 130% FPL. Distributed through food banks and senior centers in participating states.
NSLP National School Lunch Program
USDA program providing free or reduced-price lunches at K-12 schools. ~30M kids served daily during school year. Eligibility: free at ≤130% FPL, reduced-price at 130-185% FPL.
SBP School Breakfast Program
USDA companion to NSLP — provides free or reduced-price breakfast at participating schools. Same income eligibility as NSLP. Many schools start meals at 7-7:30am before class.
SFSP Summer Food Service Program
USDA program feeding kids 18 and under during school summer break. No application, no income check, no enrollment — any kid can show up at a participating site. Runs late May through August. ~29,000+ sites.
CEP Community Eligibility Provision
NSLP/SBP option that lets schools in high-poverty areas serve free meals to ALL students with no individual applications. School qualifies if 25%+ of students are directly certified for free meals via SNAP/TANF/foster/homeless. ~33,000 US schools use CEP.
D-SNAP Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Emergency one-time SNAP benefit activated by USDA after a federal disaster declaration. More generous eligibility than regular SNAP — even households who normally don't qualify can get D-SNAP if disaster-affected. Issued via EBT card.
FQHC Federally Qualified Health Center
HRSA-funded community health center providing primary medical care on a sliding-scale fee schedule. Patients pay based on income; nobody is turned away for inability to pay. ~18,000 sites nationally. Many co-locate with food pantries or refer patients to food assistance.
FNS USDA Food and Nutrition Service
The USDA agency that administers SNAP, WIC, NSLP, SBP, SFSP, TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR, and D-SNAP. Sets eligibility rules, distributes federal funds to state agencies, publishes datasets that Feed America ingests as primary sources.
FDPIR Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
USDA alternative to SNAP for households on or near Indian reservations. Provides a monthly USDA commodity food package instead of EBT benefits. Eligibility based on income, household size, and tribal affiliation.
FPL Federal Poverty Level
HHS-published income threshold used by most federal benefit programs. Updated annually. 2026: $15,650 for a single person, $32,150 for a family of four. SNAP uses 130% FPL gross / 100% net; WIC uses 185% FPL.
FRAC Food Research & Action Center
A 501(c)(3) anti-hunger advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Publishes research and policy briefs on SNAP, school meals, and food insecurity. Different from Feed America (we are an operations charity; FRAC is a policy charity).
HSDS Human Services Data Specification
Open data standard (currently v3.0) for human-services directories — food banks, shelters, hotlines, etc. Maintained by the Open Referral Initiative. Enables interoperability between 211 systems, Findhelp, Unite Us, and academic research.
SDOH Social Determinants of Health
Health-care framework recognizing that ZIP code, food security, housing stability, and similar factors affect health outcomes more than direct medical care. Hospitals embedding food-assistance referrals (e.g., via the Feed America embed widget) are doing SDOH work.
SFMNP Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
USDA program providing low-income seniors aged 60+ with vouchers redeemable at farmers markets, roadside stands, and CSAs. Typically $20-50/year per participant. Administered through state agencies on aging.
FMNP WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
USDA program providing WIC participants with vouchers for fresh produce at participating farmers markets. Operates seasonally (typically June-October). $20-30/year per participant.
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Federal cash-assistance block grant administered by states. Not directly a food program, but TANF recipients are categorically eligible for SNAP and TEFAP (no separate income check needed).
LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
HHS heating-bill assistance program. LIHEAP recipients can use a "heating-and-cooling utility" deduction to lower their SNAP-counted income, increasing their SNAP benefit. Some states automatically apply this; in others, beneficiaries must request it.
SSI Supplemental Security Income
SSA cash-assistance program for low-income seniors and disabled people. SSI recipients are categorically eligible for SNAP in most states (no income test). Average benefit: ~$700/month.
211 Two-One-One
Free, 24/7, multilingual phone helpline for social services in the US (and Canada). Operated by United Way and partners. Dial 211 to reach a local information & referral specialist who can connect you to food, housing, healthcare, and other services. Feed America feeds data to 211 systems via HSDS.
EIN Employer Identification Number
IRS-issued 9-digit ID for any organization (including 501(c)(3) charities). Donors should always verify EIN on IRS.gov before donating. Feed America EIN: 92-1761881. Verify at https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/.
NTEE National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities
Classification system used by the IRS and Candid (formerly GuideStar) to categorize 501(c)(3) charities. K30 = Food, Agriculture & Nutrition — Food Service, Free Food Distribution Programs. Feed America NTEE: K30.
Cite this glossary
Feed America. (2026). Food Assistance Glossary. feedam.org/glossary. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
Each term has a stable anchor URL — e.g. feedam.org/glossary#snap, feedam.org/glossary#tefap. Link directly to specific terms when citing.
Related Feed America surfaces
- Hunger Atlas — state-by-state food-assistance statistics
- Apply for SNAP · Apply for WIC
- Governance & 990 filings
- Data-quality methodology
This glossary is maintained by Feed America (501(c)(3), EIN 92-1761881). Definitions may simplify legal nuance; for authoritative program rules see the cited official sources or your state administering agency.