Food stamp benefits

[Colleen27]

$668 isn't that high, really. It is high by budget board standards because we're all looking at every penny, but when you break it down that is $5.50 per person, per day. How many meals do y'all cook that cost less than $2 per serving? Would you want to live on those meals and only those meals long term?

Food stamp allotments are not high enough to support a lot of expensive food buying habits unless the family is supplementing out of their own pocket or taking a feast-to-famine approach. And particularly in the cities, food costs can be ridiculous. For many years, there wasn't a single major grocery within Detroit city limits. Those food stamps don't go far at all when you're shopping the corner store because you can't afford gas or don't have a car to drive out to the suburbs to a real grocery store.

 

[Colleen27]

But, why should that person who is taking food dbt eat better than hard working families who are just barely getting by? There isn't any reason a child or adult needs overly processed food. Make them so that they cover fruits and veggies, grains, dairy and basic meat. I do have an issue on the steak a couple of times a month. I know too many people getting by on beans and rice. And there is no reason why the govt. should give pop tarts to anyone. How does that help a child?

The overly processed foods are the cheap foods, though. I can spend $.59 for a loaf of bread full of high fructose corn syrup, food dyes, and artificial flavors, or I can spend $3 on a decent loaf. $.79 for a 2ltr of soda or $2.50 for a bottle of apple juice. $.88 for a package of hot dogs or $3 for a lb of chicken. $.49 for a can of heavily salted, cooked to mush green beans or $2 for a package of froze or $3 for a lb of fresh.

I think there are a couple issues at play that get in the way of restrictions on food stamps. First is the reality that processed foods are generally cheaper than their whole food counterparts. No one is going to support raising food stamp allotments to provide a healthy diet of staples; so long as people aren't starving in the streets, the program is generally going to be considered a success. Second is the power that the food production/processing industry wields in our system. Whole foods don't have near as strong a lobby as Froot Loops and Coke.

 

[momx2]

$668 isn't that high, really. It is high by budget board standards because we're all looking at every penny, but when you break it down that is $5.50 per person, per day. How many meals do y'all cook that cost less than $2 per serving? Would you want to live on those meals and only those meals long term?

Food stamp allotments are not high enough to support a lot of expensive food buying habits unless the family is supplementing out of their own pocket or taking a feast-to-famine approach. And particularly in the cities, food costs can be ridiculous. For many years, there wasn't a single major grocery within Detroit city limits. Those food stamps don't go far at all when you're shopping the corner store because you can't afford gas or don't have a car to drive out to the suburbs to a real grocery store.

That was what I was wondering. Since I read the budget board daily I feel like a failure if I spend too much on groceries. When I read about the $668 max for a family of 4, a light bulb went on or maybe a question popped in my head about the amount I now believe is too much to spend. I am probably not spending enough. I do know I have gotten to the point I won't buy fresh fish and that's not good. I think I need to reprioritize things and not worry quiet as much about it.

I had not heard about cities not having real groceries stores until I saw a special on tv about that a few years ago. It was showing how difficult it was for a person to get fresh fruit and other, what I consider, normal fresh foods. It was an eye opener.

 

[nathaliabrown]

Blurrycat and Nathalia (and anyone else I missed skimming through the posts), I hope things turn around for you

Thank you very much. I am just praying DH gets this job in Jan...then we will be back to where we were last April =) ....ohhhhh I hope!!!!

 

[crazelion]

Some stores do not let people on food stamps use coupons. I know I have tried use food stamps and coupons.

I am not on food stamps now. I am a teacher.

 

[Colleen27]

That was what I was wondering. Since I read the budget board daily I feel like a failure if I spend too much on groceries. When I read about the $668 max for a family of 4, a light bulb went on or maybe a question popped in my head about the amount I now believe is too much to spend. I am probably not spending enough. I do know I have gotten to the point I won't buy fresh fish and that's not good. I think I need to reprioritize things and not worry quiet as much about it.

I had not heard about cities not having real groceries stores until I saw a special on tv about that a few years ago. It was showing how difficult it was for a person to get fresh fruit and other, what I consider, normal fresh foods. It was an eye opener.

To put it into perspective, food stamp allotments are based upon the USDA "thrifty food plan" - essentially the least expensive possible diet that meets nutritional guidelines. It is based on market pricing, so some of us are likely doing quite a bit better on the purchasing-power end with coupons and such than is taken into account, but it is an extremely frugal approach overall.

I grew up in the Detroit area, and unfortunately the "food desert" issue is a big one here. My mother is a social worker and I worked in the welfare system for a time myself before having kids and moving to the country, so I am very aware and very sympathetic to what poverty is like. And that was in better times... With 20+% unemployment in the area now, it is so much worse.

The budget board can be such a great resource, but things like food spending are so subjective - different tastes, different nutritional needs, different prices, different availability of sales and coupon doubling, etc. that comparisons are often pointless. I know my grocery bills with only one store in town aren't ever going to be as low as those of people who can shop sales at two or three places to get the very best prices on more items. But at the same time, I know I'm getting the best value for my dollar within the limits of my circumstances and that's what really matters.

 

[mdinecola]

I understand how those who are frustrated feel - I was once one of them. I would stand in the line at the supermarket and get downright mad that the person in front of me was buying a load of things that my kids consider "treats" along with steak and seafood and softdrinks, etc. - these were things that I bought on sale because I refused to pay the hefty price for them. My husband and I both had great jobs, two children and trying for a third, a home and two vehicles, etc, etc. We tried for five years for our third child and finally was blessed with a daughter - no fertility used. I was ASSURED by my doctor that this was unusual and would not happen again in a million people and that I should consider myself blessed - and I did. Well, five months later I find out I'm pregnant ( while nursing my daughter, so that's not birth control like some believe) - with twins. The months that follow include bedrest, bedrest, bedrest and then two premature babies - only by five weeks, but still small since there were two of them baking in there! I had to quit my job of ten plus years because the cost of childcare combined with gas and other factors of holding a job would put me in the red at the end of the month. Then, after delivery of the twins, I hemorraged and required extended care, four units of blood, etc, etc. Our insurance, that we paid nearly six hundred dollars a month for, didn't cover much of the expense. We had my deductible to meet plus one for each of the twins, and then our twenty percent of certain parts of the bill. My medical expenses were astronomical - hospital, doctors, peds, pathology, blood bank, etc. etc. Then I was informed by a hospital worker that there were circumstances when the state would step in and help pay for some of the medical and she helped my apply. I was shocked to find that our now family of seven qualified - barely - and got some assistance with the medical bills. Medicaid also paid for the children's health insurance for the next year which saved my a couple hundred a month. It was all new to me - I had never accepted any sort of assistance before. Several months later, after struggling to spend the five hundred a month it cost to buy Nutramigen formula, I once again had to apply for WIC which was a blessing in itself. Then, with the floundering economy, my husband's checks began getting lower and lower and we had to apply for food stamps last month. I only get 400 a month for my family of 7 - they factor in your pay - and I am embarrassed to have to use it because I know what I used to think of those that did. I always look around to make sure no one I know sees me using that card and it shouldn't be that way for those who truly need it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be so harsh and be careful of the judgement you pass because next month it may be you. Trust me, I know this first hand.

 

[pipersmom]

But, why should that person who is taking food dbt eat better than hard working families who are just barely getting by? There isn't any reason a child or adult needs overly processed food. Make them so that they cover fruits and veggies, grains, dairy and basic meat. I do have an issue on the steak a couple of times a month. I know too many people getting by on beans and rice. And there is no reason why the govt. should give pop tarts to anyone. How does that help a child?

Indiana Rose Lee...

You're absolutely right. Goodness forbid my 8 yr old occasionally have a pop-tart or snack food with little nutritional value. After all, no other kids in the country ever get that kind of treat. And absolutely no way should we be having a protein other than ground chicken or turkey or chicken legs, it's too extravagant. DD is on a high calorie diet per Dr's orders. Even if she weren't, I would still let her pick out one thing she wants every time we go to the grocery store, just like most normal kids do. If someone is living on beans and rice because of income, that's why the benefits are there. I worked and paid into the system from the time I was 16 yrs old, including paying my way through college..I refuse to be ashamed or feel guilty that I need the help now. My daughter has spent over 4 months this year either hospitalized or on IV drugs at home. I don't work outside the home so that I can be with her during those times. I do some work at home things, but not nearly enough to get us through a month. Frankly I resent the fact that you would assume anyone on benefits that isn't working or trying to work, doesn't deserve the benefits, or shouldn't be eating anything better than beans and rice and gov't cheese. I would trade my life in a heartbeat if it meant I had a healthy child and could work full-time and not need any type of assistance. Unfortunately, that is not the hand I was dealt.

 

[phragmipedium]

Hug your kids and be grateful for what you have, instead of worrying about what you think others should not have. Life is really too short.

Sending lots of good vibes to you and everyone else in this thread dealing with financial and health issues - hoping for many blessings for you all in the new year.

I also work closely with our local self-sufficiency office, as a child support case generates in my office anytime someone receives tanf/oregon health plan and there is an absent parent. I agree very much with the prior poster - our state also has a fraud hotline and if you have evidence someone is defrauding the system, please do your part and report it. If you do not have enough evidence to make a call, you probably don't have enough information to pass judgement - but if you do have evidence, please make the call. I think our state calculates potential fraud at about 8% and does what it can to minimize it, but also has run studies showing that many potential "fixes" would either eliminate resources for families with legitimate need or cost more to implement than would save in tax dollars. No system is perfect, but they are always evolving. I understand the frustration at the fraud, but those cases *are* the minority even though they stand out and are most salient in our minds.

One thing I can say is that my office handles child support cases where public assistance is involved, working to recoup costs for the state...and I have yet to meet a client who I would want to trade circumstances with, no matter the amount of their tanf or food stamp grants. Even if they're lying and have a boyfriend in the household, etc - I consider myself blessed to have a home that I own, college educations and jobs for myself and my husband that allow us to earn a living, a family that is a positive support system, and our health. I'm not financially wealthy, but we need for nothing and want for so little, and do not have to ask for a hand up from anyone, knock on wood. For that I am blessed, and I do not begrudge the portion of my taxes going to help those who do need that hand up. But for the grace of God go I.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Here's what I wish would happen, since I know abuse does go on.

I wish food stamps would be more strict on what you could and couldn't purchase with them. Not be as strict as WIC, but not allow certain items, or somehow limit the amount of junk that people can get with them, i.e. have a certain amount for produce only, more for meat, etc. I also think they should allow some toiletries and paper products.

That's not where I see a major problem of abuse though. It's when I see people have the cash option, and are able to get cash over the amount of their order, and will then buy cigarettes, with the money they just got.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

The overly processed foods are the cheap foods, though. I can spend $.59 for a loaf of bread full of high fructose corn syrup, food dyes, and artificial flavors, or I can spend $3 on a decent loaf. $.79 for a 2ltr of soda or $2.50 for a bottle of apple juice. $.88 for a package of hot dogs or $3 for a lb of chicken. $.49 for a can of heavily salted, cooked to mush green beans or $2 for a package of froze or $3 for a lb of fresh.

I think there are a couple issues at play that get in the way of restrictions on food stamps. First is the reality that processed foods are generally cheaper than their whole food counterparts. No one is going to support raising food stamp allotments to provide a healthy diet of staples; so long as people aren't starving in the streets, the program is generally going to be considered a success. Second is the power that the food production/processing industry wields in our system. Whole foods don't have near as strong a lobby as Froot Loops and Coke.

Actually, I can bake a loaf of whole wheat bread for $.70 a loaf. My kid eat rolled oats most mornings for pennies. Fruit bought in season is not expensive. Buying loss leader meat for the week. Drink water. It is not more expensive to eat cheap, unless you are unwilling to cook your own food.

After my son's hospitalization and death we were deeply in debt. We chose to do without rather than thinking we deserve twinkies and steak and soda. My kids survived, and were better off anyway.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Eliza, I haven't seen anyone say there isn't a place for the system. Merely that the system needs some work, and that people need educated. I was the director of a Women's shelter for 4 years, and sit on the Board now. Part of what we emphasized was education, and making good choices for themselves and their children. And, yes, we had nutritionists in to help. That said,we also hook them up with groups like Angel tree(even though the food lacks, imo), providing transportation. That $30 box of food feeds 4 for nearly a week. Most of the kids receive free meals in school. There are few reasons it would take so much to feed a family of four.

 

[wdwfan16]

Thank you all for not bashing. i wanted to show my story to show there are some good people who are trying.

I see government assistance as a last resort. That is how you are treating it. You are also trying to get off it by getting a job. that is how it is suppose to work.

For the person who is sick, I hope the drs are wrong about this being your
last Christmas.

I am against generational welfare. Stop breeding and start working.

 

[mskani]

Sending lots of good vibes to you and everyone else in this thread dealing with financial and health issues - hoping for many blessings for you all in the new year.

I also work closely with our local self-sufficiency office, as a child support case generates in my office anytime someone receives tanf/oregon health plan and there is an absent parent. I agree very much with the prior poster - our state also has a fraud hotline and if you have evidence someone is defrauding the system, please do your part and report it. If you do not have enough evidence to make a call, you probably don't have enough information to pass judgement - but if you do have evidence, please make the call. I think our state calculates potential fraud at about 8% and does what it can to minimize it, but also has run studies showing that many potential "fixes" would either eliminate resources for families with legitimate need or cost more to implement than would save in tax dollars. No system is perfect, but they are always evolving. I understand the frustration at the fraud, but those cases *are* the minority even though they stand out and are most salient in our minds.

One thing I can say is that my office handles child support cases where public assistance is involved, working to recoup costs for the state...and I have yet to meet a client who I would want to trade circumstances with, no matter the amount of their tanf or food stamp grants. Even if they're lying and have a boyfriend in the household, etc - I consider myself blessed to have a home that I own, college educations and jobs for myself and my husband that allow us to earn a living, a family that is a positive support system, and our health. I'm not financially wealthy, but we need for nothing and want for so little, and do not have to ask for a hand up from anyone, knock on wood. For that I am blessed, and I do not begrudge the portion of my taxes going to help those who do need that hand up. But for the grace of God go I.

I totally agree with your post! Most days when I pull into the parking lot of my office (I work for the State of IL as a TANF worker) I whisper a prayer of thanks that I'm not on the other side of the desk. In the past six months or so, the number of recipients receiving and/or applying for food stamps (SNAP) and TANF (cash) has gone WAY UP!! We are seeing a lot of two parent households, too. Times are hard.

 

[eliza61]

Eliza, I haven't seen anyone say there isn't a place for the system. Merely that the system needs some work, and that people need educated. I was the director of a Women's shelter for 4 years, and sit on the Board now. Part of what we emphasized was education, and making good choices for themselves and their children. And, yes, we had nutritionists in to help. That said,we also hook them up with groups like Angel tree(even though the food lacks, imo), providing transportation. That $30 box of food feeds 4 for nearly a week. Most of the kids receive free meals in school. There are few reasons it would take so much to feed a family of four.

But what is the intent? Look at the first 2-3 pages of the thread. NO one mentioned educating poor people. It always turns into "I know some one with 8 kids, not working and eating steak, while I have to cut coupons". or "groceries don't cost that much".

What does that do? Perpetuates the myth that food stamp reciepents are lazy, single moms with a boat load of babies. Even the op's original question was basically I have to make it on $600 bucks a month while people on food stamps eat better than me.

Sure the system has flaws but correct me if I'm wrong and our banking system has major flaws also, has so recently proven. But no one would dare think that all financial advisors or bankers are Bernie Madolf.

So I guess my comment is before every one starts jumping on the band wagon of how food stamp recipents supposedly live and eat, take the time to find out the facts.

 

[Colleen27]

[/B][/U]

I totally agree with your post! Most days when I pull into the parking lot of my office (I work for the State of IL as a TANF worker) I whisper a prayer of thanks that I'm not on the other side of the desk. In the past six months or so, the number of recipients receiving and/or applying for food stamps (SNAP) and TANF (cash) has gone WAY UP!! We are seeing a lot of two parent households, too. Times are hard.

This reminded me so strongly of something very similar that my mother said many, many times when I was young. She was a AFDC (TANF now) case worker then, and is a supervisor in the same office now. Our circumstances weren't that different from what she saw on the other side of the desk - she was a single mom and the daughter of blue collar parents who didn't have much. Had my grandfather made a different choice, not worked extra shifts and picked up side jobs to put her through college, we absolutely could have been on the other side when my dad left. And that was something she really worked to impress upon us - that hard times can hit anyone.

Something that always irks me in discussions of food stamps and other assistance is how the mother, who in most cases is just doing the best she can, gets the brunt of the judgment because she's the visible one. She's the one at the checkout with all her kids in tow because she doesn't have someone to watch them while she shops, and she's the one who has to use the card. But behind that image in most cases is a deadbeat man who isn't paying his share of support for those kids, and he doesn't have to deal with the looks and humiliation.

 

[htmom]

ok, this thread makes me feel like a piece of crap.


My husband left us last January. He said he'd be back. He never came back...
When he left I went to the local Welfare office. I was a stay at home mom, to a wonderful 7 (at that time) year old, special needs boy. They said I couldn't apply because I had enough money in my bank account for (thier version) an entire month of bills. Needless to say I was also left with a 360 a month car payment. (ex took the car that was paid in full) They also said my sons Savings acct had to be exhausted before I could get help.

Well I was looking for a job for the entire year, making weekly trips to the semilocal (25miles away) Career link. we even moved back in with my dad. I finally found a job!!!! But the bad part, I don't start my 46 hours a week until January. Yep one full year after my dh left.

So in October, dh decides to completely "forget" to pay child support in ANY form (he had been giving me 350 a month to help with the car payment because his name was on it to) and I had to go back to the Welfare office. At first they said a resounding No because I was living with my dad whom has money.

(just because he has money dosen't mean he is going to give it to me....)

Then I moved back out with my ds to my old apartment, my dad owns the building but lets me do work for rent.

They were ok, but truthfully I was made to feel like a piece of crap there too. I am now recieving 376 a month for food, waiting for a support hearing (you can't get cash assistance unless you file and are granted support) and get some medical to help pay for my sons medication.

At the rate I am going I will have my full time job before child support is granted. Then when my job starts I will have to drop any support from the Welfare office (which I agree with) but will have to provide enough myself to pay for a Special needs after school care (our school has none)

Luckily my dad lets me come to his house to use the computer, wash clothes and he lets me clean his house for money sometimes when I am really having a difficult time. And lets me pay my rent by doing apartment maintenence stuff.

I always thought, hmm this is just a debit card, no bodys looking at my card and laughing at me. Now I know the truth.....

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

You are the reason the system exists. Those that abuse it are the ones who give a bad name to it. Take care. It was horrible when we went bankrupt after Josiah passed. At least in our case it got better. I pray that you find peace, also.

 

[sydneysmom]

To HTMOM, you are extremely brave. Please don't let anything that people say effect what's in your heart. People don't know your story and shouldn't judge you until they've walked in your shoes. It's very lucky that you have such a wonderful father. I too was in a situation in the past where my parents helped me. And thank God for them. The one thing that no one can ever take from you, no matter how hard things get, are you pride and your dignity. Don't let someone take them from you. Stand proud. You sound like a wonderful person and a wonderful mother. May God bless you and your family. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Every system, every program will have it's abuses, and this one is no different, BUT, it's there because people need it. We're talking about FOOD here, and as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather feed a few people who are taking advantage of the system than have people go hungry, a LARGE majority of them being kids.

However, to the question the OP asked about, unfortunately, the Food Stamp program is pretty universally the same across the country, with each state being allowed to augment the funds if they're able and if they want. So, what might be considered to be an overly generous amount in a midwestern state, or some more rural areas is frequently too little to feed a similarly sized family say in NYC or Chicago or Washington DC. Also, it's harder to use in areas if you don't have transportation. Often stores in those areas hardest hit jack up the prices even more, offering little or no fresh fruits, expensive meats, etc.

Having two teenaged boys, I can tell you that it makes a huge difference what the dynamic of your family is, too. In Southern California, I'm hard pressed to spend less than $650 a month with three "grown" men and myself and DD who is just about 8. And I am a frugal shopper. They just eat ALOT.