(Slight) Cut to food stamps on Nov 1, 2013 but still $600+/month for family of 4

[senseamp]

I talked to my daughter about this last night (she's an emergency room doctor) and she said she's occasionally seen people come in that were starving. I asked her how that can be with food stamp money freely available. She said that all the money went to feeding the kids. I asked if drugs or mental illness were involved and she said she didn't think so. She thought the real reason was because the person had very low intelligence and they had no clue as to how to manage their food stamp money. How do you fix that?

You don't even know that is what the problem is, you are just assuming a person is stupid if they are poor and starving. Stop living in your Cadillac driving, Obamaphone talking, welfare queen fantasy world and wake up and smell the coffee.

 

[Nebor]

You don't even know that is what the problem is, you are just assuming a person is stupid if they are poor and starving. Stop living in your Cadillac driving, Obamaphone talking, welfare queen fantasy world and wake up and smell the coffee.

If they were smarter they would either be 1) Not poor due to their honest efforts or 2) Able to scam a better living out of the system.

 

[Zaap]

why do you say this is bad for you?

Um, probably 'cause it's loaded with sodium, nitrates and (despite the marketing trick of bogus fat percentage + calories-per-serving) plenty of fat.

Is it once in a while unhealthy? Maybe not.

Is it every day, several meals a day for years, eventually kick the bucket of heart disease or cancer unhealthy? Definitely.

 

[mikeford]

I don't understand the mindset of continuing to attack the poor of this country, meanwhile the rich are raping the middle class blind!

Trapping the poor into generational poverty is the attack, releasing them into productive and rewarding adulthood is helping them, even if it takes a push with some sting to it.

 

[nanette1985]

You all will be thrilled that I finally got my food stamps for the month of Nov. It went from $16 a month to $15. That cut should really help the economy.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

You don't even know that is what the problem is, you are just assuming a person is stupid if they are poor and starving. Stop living in your Cadillac driving, Obamaphone talking, welfare queen fantasy world and wake up and smell the coffee.

My daughter talked to them personally in order to treat them. She may not be nearly as brilliant or compassionate as you think you are, but she's fully capable of reasonably evaluating another person's intelligence. But don't worry, I won't show her any of your posts.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

You all will be thrilled that I finally got my food stamps for the month of Nov. It went from $16 a month to $15. That cut should really help the economy.

Only $15 a month? You must barely qualify.

 

[waggy]

If they were smarter they would either be 1) Not poor due to their honest efforts or 2) Able to scam a better living out of the system.

or 3) A honest person who is down on there luck.

I have talked to people on such programs. IF you are honest and not scamming the system you get shit.

 

[nanette1985]

Only $15 a month? You must barely qualify.

I'm disabled. That's what the official amount is for someone in NJ in my situation.

You'll be thrilled to know that because of COLA, my disability check will be increased by $1.65 in the new year.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

I'm disabled. That's what the official amount is for someone in NJ in my situation.

You'll be thrilled to know that because of COLA, my disability check will be increased by $1.65 in the new year.

I believe the COLA is low because inflation is low....and I'm not thrilled to know this as you seem to imagine. Do you have enough money for food?

 

[nehalem256]

To borrow from the OT thread

Her adult daughters who live with her aren't in a position to work -- one is a new mom, and another is due to give birth soon.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/01/news/economy/food-stamps-families/index.html?iid=HP_LN

Yeah I feel real sorry their benefits are getting cut

 

[Zaap]

^ This is actually my favorite line from that article:

That would be tough, Sewell says. The first time the family got food stamps, after he lost his job in 2010, they blew through the allotment halfway through the month.
After that, the Sewells started making detailed budgets, meal plans and shopping lists.

So basically, first check came, and "sky's the limit, baby!"

Then halfway through the month of eating the typical 5000+ calorie American 'fat ass' diet, it became clear, "Oh wait a minute. When food money just shows up in the mailbox, one has to actually BUDGET. And plan. And make... shopping lists??!!?? Ohhhhhhhhhhh......!"

Not making light of the family's situation, but really, who doesn't already do this, let alone if you've got to the point you need public assistance to get by?

 

[werepossum]

I'm disabled. That's what the official amount is for someone in NJ in my situation.

You'll be thrilled to know that because of COLA, my disability check will be increased by $1.65 in the new year.

When my mother-in-law was alive she was on Social Security disability (severe arthritis and emphysema) and also in subsidized housing, and every time she got a $1 increase in her check, the government's portion of the rent went up $1. Every single time.

To borrow from the OT thread

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/01/news/economy/food-stamps-families/index.html?iid=HP_LN

Yeah I feel real sorry their benefits are getting cut

It is very difficult to sympathize with four adults, none of whom work. A fair number of those working to pay their benefits are expectant or new mothers.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

It is very difficult to sympathize with four adults, none of whom work. A fair number of those working to pay their benefits are expectant or new mothers.

I was my understanding that the stimulus money given to food stamp recipients in 2009 has finally run out which appears to be the reason for the cuts. People got accustomed to the higher level of subsidy and now apparently want to blame someone/anyone for taking it away. However, something is rotten in Denmark if you have to ask for a pay cut when you finally get a $12/hr job and a chance to get back on your feet.

 

[nanette1985]

I believe the COLA is low because inflation is low....and I'm not thrilled to know this as you seem to imagine. Do you have enough money for food?

Yes, thank you.

I never actually applied for food stamps, but my case worker checked out all of the programs that I did qualify for. The first time they did that, I refused the food stamps, because $16 was so small. I figured that it cost more in processing than that. After my most recent hospitalization, I decided that every little bit helps.

I've been disabled for 5 years (my doc says that the normal expectancy of someone with congestive heart failure is less than 5 years, so I feel lucky) so I've gotten pretty good at being disabled.

Fortunately I have family and good friends. I'm happy to still be alive and I don't really worry about stuff. So far it's all worked out.

 

[werepossum]

I was my understanding that the stimulus money given to food stamp recipients in 2009 has finally run out which appears to be the reason for the cuts. People got accustomed to the higher level of subsidy and now apparently want to blame someone/anyone for taking it away. However, something is rotten in Denmark if you have to ask for a pay cut when you finally get a $12/hr job and a chance to get back on your feet.

Agreed, but the McPaper did an excellent article on how much one needs to earn to be better off working. If memory serves, and it may not, for a family of four it's close to $60K. The sweet spot was indeed just a bit over minimum wage where one earns just enough to not lose all the bennies. When one begins earning $10 - $12, one actually ends up with less disposable income. That is indeed something rotten in Denmark, but it's hard to see how to fix it without becoming a full-on socialist republic of wealth distribution.

Yes, thank you.

I never actually applied for food stamps, but my case worker checked out all of the programs that I did qualify for. The first time they did that, I refused the food stamps, because $16 was so small. I figured that it cost more in processing than that. After my most recent hospitalization, I decided that every little bit helps.

I've been disabled for 5 years (my doc says that the normal expectancy of someone with congestive heart failure is less than 5 years, so I feel lucky) so I've gotten pretty good at being disabled.

Fortunately I have family and good friends. I'm happy to still be alive and I don't really worry about stuff. So far it's all worked out.

If it makes you feel any better, my parent's neighbor is late mid-fifties and has had that diagnosis for almost two decades. He has worked the entire time, so there is obviously a fair range of function within that diagnosis. Although he did have to switch jobs - he was a rough-cut butcher, and no amount of determination to stay off of disability could give him back the strength to maneuver 200 lb sides of beef.

Good luck with yours.

 

[nanette1985]

If it makes you feel any better, my parent's neighbor is late mid-fifties and has had that diagnosis for almost two decades. He has worked the entire time, so there is obviously a fair range of function within that diagnosis. Although he did have to switch jobs - he was a rough-cut butcher, and no amount of determination to stay off of disability could give him back the strength to maneuver 200 lb sides of beef.

Good luck with yours.

Thanks. It does make me feel better.

Unfortunately for me, I had cardiac catheterization. Turns out that a common side effect of that procedure is stroke. I had two strokes then (3 more since) and fortunately I'm not dead, and I can talk and move. But alas, I lost the ability to understand computer code. After a good part of my life either programming or running software businesses, sadly I couldn't do that any more. That is what qualified me for disability. Just doing what I can with what I have left.

 

[Jhhnn]

Trapping the poor into generational poverty is the attack, releasing them into productive and rewarding adulthood is helping them, even if it takes a push with some sting to it.

Sickening pablum. Pushing people out into an employment situation where even highly skilled people are un and under employed through no fault of their own isn't "releasing" them, other than in the sense that it would release the self righteous ignoramuses from any sense of responsibility for children of such parents, who are fellow Americans.

Righties, protecting the unborn so that they can fuck 'em later, after they're born.

 

[MrColin]

This year I have spent about 190 per month on food, I would spend more but I can't afford it. I can barely maintain my current weight (my BMI fluctuates between 20.2 and 21).

I would get foodstamps but I am a white single man and therefore inelligible for any govt assistance.

 

[child of wonder]

Sickening pablum. Pushing people out into an employment situation where even highly skilled people are un and under employed through no fault of their own isn't "releasing" them, other than in the sense that it would release the self righteous ignoramuses from any sense of responsibility for children of such parents, who are fellow Americans.

Righties, protecting the unborn so that they can fuck 'em later, after they're born.

When the choice is to receive $X in benefits by not working or receive $Y in pay based on your skills and experience where $X > $Y how couldn't someone become trapped in poverty? People take the path of least resistance and earning more benefits than what they could earn on their own is the path many go down. Between my wife and I, we have 7 family members living on SSI, food stamps, and a plethora of other government assistance programs. Only 1 of them is truly "disabled" while the rest have found ways to get labeled as such only to avoid work.

I am in full support of the government offering safety nets to citizens. However, right now the safety nets have become so comfortable, many people choose to live in them rather than try to climb out. In some cases that isn't their fault; it's how the system is designed ($X > $Y).

 

[Tom]

I consider myself a moderate Democrat and I can see reasons to make changes to programs like food stamps.

What I disagree with is the tactic of talking about welfare queens or the like as a means of dividing the country into factions.

We shouldn't think of poor people as separate from the rest of us. We're all in this together.

 

[nehalem256]

I consider myself a moderate Democrat and I can see reasons to make changes to programs like food stamps.

What I disagree with is the tactic of talking about welfare queens or the like as a means of dividing the country into factions.

We shouldn't think of poor people as separate from the rest of us. We're all in this together.

"We're all in this together" implies reciprocity of obligation.

Now to quote from the article:

Her adult daughters who live with her aren't in a position to work -- one is a new mom, and another is due to give birth soon.

What about that implies any acceptance of mutual obligation. Seems to me like we have 3 adults that think society is obligated to support their choices, while they can do whatever they want.

 

[Incorruptible]

To borrow from the OT thread

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/01/news/economy/food-stamps-families/index.html?iid=HP_LN

Yeah I feel real sorry their benefits are getting cut

So why do these idiots think hard working taxpayers should pay for them? This slight cut to food stamps is good but there needs to be much more cuts to food stamps.

 

[werepossum]

Thanks. It does make me feel better.

Unfortunately for me, I had cardiac catheterization. Turns out that a common side effect of that procedure is stroke. I had two strokes then (3 more since) and fortunately I'm not dead, and I can talk and move. But alas, I lost the ability to understand computer code. After a good part of my life either programming or running software businesses, sadly I couldn't do that any more. That is what qualified me for disability. Just doing what I can with what I have left.

Wow, that is really, really rough. The brain is a surprisingly robust thing, but also a surprisingly delicate thing, able to restore most gross functions after massive damage (albeit slowly) but also capable of losing highly important higher functions with a tiny bit of damage. You certainly have my sympathy. Personally I have no fear of death, but a lot of fear about stroke, which can take so much so quickly.

This year I have spent about 190 per month on food, I would spend more but I can't afford it. I can barely maintain my current weight (my BMI fluctuates between 20.2 and 21).

I would get foodstamps but I am a white single man and therefore inelligible for any govt assistance.

Look into church programs. They typically look for those who are honestly trying rather than those who fit preferred categories.

When the choice is to receive $X in benefits by not working or receive $Y in pay based on your skills and experience where $X > $Y how couldn't someone become trapped in poverty? People take the path of least resistance and earning more benefits than what they could earn on their own is the path many go down. Between my wife and I, we have 7 family members living on SSI, food stamps, and a plethora of other government assistance programs. Only 1 of them is truly "disabled" while the rest have found ways to get labeled as such only to avoid work.

I am in full support of the government offering safety nets to citizens. However, right now the safety nets have become so comfortable, many people choose to live in them rather than try to climb out. In some cases that isn't their fault; it's how the system is designed ($X > $Y).

Agreed, and that's a huge problem. But Jhhnn has a point about this economy; there simply aren't enough jobs to go around, and aren't likely to be any time soon. So while philosophically I'm in favor of shaming people who could and should be working, and driving them into work, there's no point to doing so until the economy can actually use them. In today's economy, driving one person off welfare and into work is likely to merely put another person there.

 

[werepossum]

I consider myself a moderate Democrat and I can see reasons to make changes to programs like food stamps.

What I disagree with is the tactic of talking about welfare queens or the like as a means of dividing the country into factions.

We shouldn't think of poor people as separate from the rest of us. We're all in this together.

Well said, sir. I think the welfare queen talk is probably necessary to motivate people to tighten the system, but it certainly obscures the fact that many if not most people on government welfare programs are there against their wills and preferences, from well-meaning but bad decisions or simply through bad luck. Very few people have the resources to protect themselves from every possible disaster that can befall a free creature. Accidents will happen, strokes and heart attacks will happen, medical procedures and treatment will have bad side affects. Always have, always will.