NAP Today, SNAP Tomorrow? Why Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Future Just Got Tougher

Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) serves as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of households. It’s similar in purpose to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the states—but the funding model is very different. Unlike SNAP, which expands based on need, NAP operates under a capped federal block grant.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) doesn’t change how NAP functions today. Benefits will still grow annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—a provision that provides some protection against inflation. But the law introduces a significant wrinkle for the future: cost-neutrality requirements for any eventual transition to SNAP.

This means that if Puerto Rico were to push for SNAP parity in the future, the federal government would not automatically increase total funding. Any shift would have to be offset within existing budgets or matched with other resources—a tall order given the island’s current fiscal realities.

Key Facts About NAP Right Now

• Funding Cap Remains – Puerto Rico’s NAP benefits continue to be limited by the block grant formula, which is not tied to actual need.

• Growth is Tied to CPI – Benefits can increase with inflation, but the gap with SNAP benefits in the states is likely to persist.

• Future Transitions are Cost-Limited – Under OBBBA, moving to SNAP would require cost offsets, slowing or reducing potential benefit expansion.

Why This Matters

For families, this may feel like a “no change” moment—monthly benefits will still arrive as usual. But for policy advocates and community organizations, it’s a clear signal that achieving SNAP parity will be harder, and require both legislative and funding solutions.

For more background on the differences between NAP and SNAP, the USDA SNAP overview is a useful reference. 

Policy Watch

If Congress revisits Puerto Rico’s nutrition assistance in the future, these cost-neutrality rules will shape the debate. Stakeholders will need to quantify the benefits gap and propose funding solutions to close it—work that starts with understanding today’s constraints.

📌 Next Step: Learn how the block grant is holding steady and what it means for the future

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