Okay, I am SICK and tired of ignorant, misinformed, right-wing conservatives vomiting statements about free-loaders and food stamps. FIRST OF ALL, the average monthly SNAP(commonly known as food stamps) benefit per person is $133.85, or less than $1.50 per person, per meal. SNAP benefits don’t last most participants the whole month. 90% of SNAP benefits are redeemed by the third week of the month, and 58% of food bank clients currently receiving SNAP benefits turn to food banks for assistance at least 6 months out of the year. On top of that, even qualifying for food stamps isnt a walk in the park, especially for households with children. 76% of SNAP households included a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person. These vulnerable households receive 83% of all SNAP benefits. SNAP eligibility is limited to households with gross income of no more than 130% of the federal poverty guideline, but the majority of households have income well below the maximum: 83% of SNAP households have gross income at or below 100% of the poverty guideline ($19,530 for a family of 3 in 2013), and these households receive about 91% of all benefits. 61% of SNAP households have gross income at or below 75% of the poverty guideline ($14,648 for a family of 3 in 2013). The average SNAP household has a gross monthly income of $744; net monthly income of $338 after the standard deduction and, for certain households, deductions for child care, medical expenses, and shelter costs; and countable resources of $331, such as a bank account. ON TOP OF THAT, I dont even want to get into the cost of food and the choice between junk and healthy food when you have fresh fruits and vegetables becoming more expensive while ramen noodles are $0.20 a package. The monopolizing of the USDA and government subsidies funneled into growing agribusinesses for corn, wheat, rice, which are prioritized over other fruits and vegetables making those prices skyrocket. Ironic how welfare for the poor is scorned yet corporate welfare is heartily endorsed.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 00:24:42 +0000
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