GET READY
FOR YOUR NEW
FOOD STAMPS
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service
March 1975 FNS 134 D441A
PROPERTY OF TH!:.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH Cilt-<OLINA
Beginning March 1, 1975, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will iss'tieca~-N~~ of food
stamps- $1, $5, and $10 coupons instead of the 50 cent, $2, and $5 coupons you now use.
This fact sheet answers some questions you might have about your new food stamps - when
you will get them, how you should use them, and what you should do with your old food stamps:
1. When will I start getting the new food stamps?
They will be issued to you beginning March 1, 1975.
2. How are they different from the food stamps I use now?
The denominations are larger - $1, $5, and $10; the design is more complicated, to stop
counterfeiting; and the colors are new -brown ($1 ), purple ($5), and blue-green ($1 0).
3. Are the coupon books different too?
Yes. The coupon books have new covers and different values from those you use now:
Coupon Book Value
$2
$7
$40
$50
$65
Coupons Inside Book
Two $1
One $5, two $1
Two $10, three $5, five $1
Three $10, three $5, five $1
Four $10, four $5, five $1
4. Why is USDA making these changes?
Color of Ink on Cover
Green
Purple
Brown-gold
Blue
Reddish -brown
Food stamp allotments have risen substantially over the past few years. Food stamps that are
worth more money will help USDA meet those larger allotments and lessen the increased
shipping and production costs of recent years.
5. What do I do with my old food stamps after March 1?
You can use them at authorized food stamp stores until July 1, 197 5. Because your grocer
will not accept old coupons after July 1, you should spend them by that date.
6. What if I still have old food stamps after July 1?
You should contact your local food stamp office. They will tell you how to exchange them.
Continued
7. Without 50 cent food stamps, how will I get my change?
Your grocer will give you your change in $1 food stamps and a credit slip for 99 cents or less.
Or, you can buy eligible foods worth the amount of your change or pay the difference in· cash
between the cost of your purchase and the next lower even dollar amount, as you do
now.
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, ASK YOUR LOCAL FOOD STAMP OFFICE
FOR ASSISTANCE.
All programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are available to anyone without regard to
race, creed, color, sex, national origin, o'r political belief.
