Food assistance in Puerto Rico — PAN, not SNAP

Puerto Rico is the big exception in this directory: the island does not participate in SNAP. Since 1982 it receives the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP — in Spanish, PAN: Programa de Asistencia Nutricional), a federal block grant administered locally by ADSEF (Administración de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de la Familia). PAN sets its own eligibility and benefit levels — generally lower than SNAP in the states — and pays benefits through the Familia EBT card. Practical consequences: PAN benefits do not transfer if you move to a state (you apply for actual SNAP there fresh), and SNAP rules you read elsewhere on this site do not automatically apply on the island.

Puerto Rico PAN (ADSEF) contacts

Non-citizen eligibility — PAN vs. SNAP

On the island, PAN eligibility is set by Puerto Rico: under the USDA block grant, each territory “establishes eligibility and benefit levels” for its own program, so confirm non-citizen rules directly with ADSEF. For comparison — and because these rules apply the moment you move to a state and apply for actual SNAP — federal SNAP requires the household member to be ONE of:

  • U.S. citizen
  • Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with 5+ years of LPR status (or earlier in some cases)
  • Refugee or asylee (no 5-year wait — eligible from grant date)
  • Cuban/Haitian entrant
  • Trafficking victim with T visa or pending T application
  • Battered immigrant (VAWA self-petitioner)
  • Iraqi/Afghan Special Immigrant
  • Veteran or active-duty US military or qualifying family member

Children of undocumented parents (SNAP, in the states): If a child is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, that child can receive SNAP even if the parents cannot — the household applies for the eligible members only. On the island, ask ADSEF how mixed-status households are handled under PAN.

What food benefits can buy (federal SNAP rules)

The list below is the federal SNAP eligible-foods rule that applies in the states. On the island, Familia EBT purchases follow PAN’s locally set rules — check ebtpr.com for current card and item rules.

CAN buy:

  • Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish
  • Dairy products
  • Breads, cereals, pasta, rice
  • Snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages
  • Seeds and plants that produce food

CANNOT buy:

  • Alcohol, tobacco
  • Hot prepared foods (with limited exceptions)
  • Vitamins, supplements
  • Non-food items (paper goods, household supplies, pet food)

Last verified: 2026-07-09. General procedural information — not legal or tax advice. PAN rules and amounts change; verify current eligibility with ADSEF (Puerto Rico’s PAN agency).