Coti Farias
Holly Pappas
May 9, 2014
Annotation – Food Stamps
It was nearly 70 years ago the U.S had adopted the food stamp program which was an experimental government program. It began in May more than 70 years ago, when an unemployed factory worker known as Mabel McFiggin was one of the first people to collect food stamps during the Depression-era. Food stamps helped aid the people struggling with supplying themselves with food. In an article by Randy James, writes that “Food stamps originally came in two colors: recipients bought orange stamps, which could be used for any kind of food, and they were given half that amount in free blue stamps, which could be used to buy designated surplus foods (all but the most destitute had to make some payment to receive food stamps until 1977)”. In this article, James states that “about 20 million people made use of the original food stamp program, but its popularity dwindled as prosperity returned, and the program was stopped in 1943”. What this means was the food stamp program was a successful program to help aid struggling people.
The amount of money a family can receive depends on several factors such as the number of people living in the household, the source of income, how much is rent , if you have children, and if you are disable or not. It also depends on the source of income from employment, child support or social security the household receiving this determines how much a family can receive and if they qualify. The expenses will count toward your benefits such as rent, electric bill, gas bill and the cable bill. The family size can size from two to six, the more family members the more money you can get. The more family members you have living in the household the more likely a family can receive benefits but if you receive a source of high income this can affect the amount of the food stamps benefits. For example, if someone makes nine hundred a month and after rent and bills are paid, depending on how much is left over they will decide if it’s enough to purchase food with or the family would need some benefits to help out. A family who receives more than the amount to qualify for can affect SNAP benefits and could decrease the amount of food stamps they could receive from theses SNAP Standards (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
In the article “Cut in Food Stamps Forces Hard Choices on Poor” from the NY Times, writers Kim Severson and Winnie Hu state that last year 2013 during November, people who had received food stamps were cut on their benefits. The article interviewed people that received these benefits and who got cut during this time. One lady said “I try to get most of the things my daughter eats because I can hold the hunger — I’m an adult — but she cannot” (qtd. in Severson and Hu). This is so sad that parents are suffering because they are trying to give everything to their children to eat because of a cut in their benefits. Another person who got hit hard during this cut was Leon Simmons, 63 he says “I don’t need a whole lot to eat,” he said, who spends more than half of his monthly $832 Social Security income to rent a room in an East Charleston house. “But this month I know I’m not going to buy any meats” (qtd. in Severson and Hu). This reduction in benefits has affected more than 47 million people like Mr. Simmons says N Y Times. Cutting benefits for people that receive this money impacts them greatly. Cuts like this can change how a person eats from healthy to unhealthy; having less money to buy groceries means those they cannot purchase fruits and vegetables for proper nutrition. This means that if the cut was very large, someone will now have to change from eating fruits, vegetables and meats to buying frozen dinners and packaged food which has high sodium.
There are many requirements to be eligible for food stamps in Massachusetts. Requirements include living in Massachusetts, meet the financial eligibility requirements, have a social security number, must be a U.S Citizen, and meet the work requirements. Other ways you can receive this benefit is if you’re homeless or pregnant. If you do not have a stable home to sleep at it is considered as homeless, they will then decide if you qualify. Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for food stamps and get accepted. Without meeting regular food stamp work requirements; they can have a telephone interview or home visit instead of going down to the office for an interview. You can apply for food stamps by filling out an application and either bring it, send it, fax it or complete it online to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). The DTA is in charge of the food stamp program and makes the decision if you apply or not. You can also apply at your local Social Security Office if you receive SSI benefits.
Other programs can help families with utility bills and telephone services. When eligible for SNAP benefits, families are automatically enrolled in the utility discount rate programs. This includes help assistance with heating, electricity and gas. If you apply, you can get 10% to 15% off the utility bill. Telephone services that can be provided if eligible are either SafeLink Wireless or Assurance Wireless. Theses telephone services provide a free cell phone with free 250 minutes.
Work Cited:
James, Randy. “Food Stamps.” Time., 14 Sept. 2009. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
Severson, Kim, and Winnie Hu. “Cut in Food Stamps Forces Hard Choices on Poor.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Nov. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2014
“SNAP Food Stamps: General Eligibility.” SNAP Food Stamps: General Eligibility. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
“SNAP Food Stamps: How Do I Apply?” SNAP Food Stamps: Application and How Do I Apply? N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
“SNAP Food Stamps: Financial Eligibility.” SNAP Food Stamps: Financial Eligibility. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
“SNAP Food Stamps: What Benefits Will I Get?” SNAP Food Stamps: What Benefits Will I Get? N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
“Utility and Telephone Discounts.” In Massachusetts. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.