<P> The amount of SNAP benefits received by a household depends on the household 's size , income , and expenses . For most of its history , the program used paper - denominated `` stamps '' or coupons -- worth US $ 1 ( brown ) , $5 ( blue ) , and $10 ( green ) -- bound into booklets of various denominations , to be torn out individually and used in single - use exchange . Because of their 1 : 1 value ratio with actual currency , the coupons were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing . Their rectangular shape resembled a U.S. dollar bill ( although about one - half the size ) , including intaglio printing on high - quality paper with watermarks . In the late 1990s , the Food Stamp Program was revamped , with some states phasing out actual stamps in favor of a specialized debit card system known as Electronic Benefit Transfer ( EBT ) , provided by private contractors . EBT has been implemented in all states since June 2004 . Each month , SNAP food stamp benefits are directly deposited into the household 's EBT card account . Households may use EBT to pay for food at supermarkets , convenience stores , and other food retailers , including certain farmers ' markets . </P>
<P> The amount of SNAP benefits received by a household depends on the household 's size , income , and expenses . For most of its history , the program used paper - denominated `` stamps '' or coupons -- worth US $ 1 ( brown ) , $5 ( blue ) , and $10 ( green ) -- bound into booklets of various denominations , to be torn out individually and used in single - use exchange . Because of their 1 : 1 value ratio with actual currency , the coupons were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing . Their rectangular shape resembled a U.S. dollar bill ( although about one - half the size ) , including intaglio printing on high - quality paper with watermarks . In the late 1990s , the Food Stamp Program was revamped , with some states phasing out actual stamps in favor of a specialized debit card system known as Electronic Benefit Transfer ( EBT ) , provided by private contractors . EBT has been implemented in all states since June 2004 . Each month , SNAP food stamp benefits are directly deposited into the household 's EBT card account . Households may use EBT to pay for food at supermarkets , convenience stores , and other food retailers , including certain farmers ' markets . </P>
when did the food stamp card come out
when did the food stamp card come out
the late 1990s
the late 1990s