If this is true (and I don't doubt the story) how did I miss it?

[Frustratedlady]

There was an article in a newspaper about a church in town starting a food pantry. A story was told about an elderly woman who was living on her Social Security check and food stamps of $100/month. Recently, the food stamps were reduced to $18/month. How could that be? The food pantry is helping her with enough food to make it through months ahead.

If this is true, how can anyone live on $18/month for groceries? That isn't only obscene, it is shameful and evil.

I'm going to call in a day or two and see what they could use for her. I often throw food away because it is hard to cook for one or two people and you get tired of eating the same old/same old. I have helped other older people because they couldn't stand at a stove long enough to cook or it was too dangerous for them to handle hot pans/dishes. They were so grateful, but unfortunately, they were in their late 90s and are now gone (not because of my cooking...hopefully).

Making a large pot of soup is something I love to do and healthy/gentle on the stomach, so soup or casseroles aren't that expensive to make and go a long way. That would be a good project for me to do during the winter.

Maybe we should all look around and see if there are elderly people who could use a healthy hot meal once in a while. It wouldn't only help them through winter, but lift their spirits to know that someone cares.

[dawg day]

1. Also remember Meals on Wheels

... if it's available in your area. It's subsidized heavily, and provides two dietician-planned meals 5 days a week. Usually a 'prescription' from their health-care provider is needed (but easy to get).

[pangaia]

2. Won't be subsidized heavily for long...

[Frustratedlady]

4. Yes, we have an active MoW in town.

In fact, my son-in-law has delivered meals for several years, as well as taking veterans to a university hospital an hour plus away for their appointments. There are quite a few people who take advantage of that service, but some people are afraid to open their doors to anyone, even MoW. Understandable for an elderly woman.

That's why I want to call the minister to see if they have taken advantage of all the options available. What happened earlier this year when Trump wanted to defund MoWs? Did he do that for the ones that the government covered? Most of those they deliver to pay per month and she wouldn't have money for that. I figured he went through with his threat. I don't know if she can cook or lives on cereal like so many elderly. If the food pantry is helping her with food, she must be able to cook something.

Maybe 30 years or so ago, we had an elderly man who was living in his kitchen in the winter because he couldn't afford to heat the whole house. We found out he was living on oatmeal, grapefruit and milk. He did have some canned veggies and jellies that he made in the summer from his small garden, but can you imagine making it through winter like that? The neighbors got busy and fixed containers of soup and I baked a turkey and made up TV trays of turkey and all the trimmings. He was SO grateful to have all that food. BUT, being so proud, he sent me one of his jars of homemade black raspberry jelly. The best I ever tasted.

[shanti]

9. I tried to sign my housebound 85 yr old mother

up for MOW, but the person said there's a super long waiting list in her area in north central AZ, where the need is great. So I just told them forget it. At her age, she most likely wouldn't make it off the list. So much for that... The fact that Chump is trying to cut the program is shameful.

[Frustratedlady]

15. And a "list" isn't an indication to that supposed leader in Washington that there is a need?

Rather than cut funding, they should have increased it. Of course we had, what...$740B with a B for the military so we could get a war going and make our neo-cons happy?

Shameful? It is a sin to starve people in need. Cut out a few golf trips and ego trips and he could fund programs for the elderly and the children.

[marybourg]

10. We don't have that here.

When the local hospital went to "cafe style" food service, nobody else stepped up to prepare meals and that was the end of meals on wheels in my town, and I'm sure we're not alone.

[RandomAccess]

13. Uh, about Meals on Wheels --

The wonderful new Tax Scam --

And Then There's This...
"Meals on Wheels. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Farm aid. National Flood Insurance. The Women, Infants and Children program. All left with none or almost no funding under the tax bill President Trump made law this morning."
-Southern Poverty Law Center

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210020691

[Frustratedlady]

17. Boy, I missed that. I didn't know it was in the tax bill.

I knew they had threatened to defund MoWs, but didn't think of it when the tax bill came out. I guess I thought they had worked it out for the near future.

I wouldn't give Trump an inch, but could most of the blame go to Ryan? He's so misguided on these programs even after he was able to take advantage of SS when his dad died. Short memory.

[RandomAccess]

30. I have no idea who gets the blame --

This thing was cobbled together in such hurried secrecy, I doubt if anyone knows who's responsible for what.

[progressoid]

41. Anyone who voted for it gets the blame.

[underthematrix]

3. In Nevada because of the size of an SS or SSD check it, some seniors get 16 a month

[dlwickham]

5. it's the same in West Virginia

I qualify for $16 a month in food stamps; I don't take them

[Frustratedlady]

7. Were the food stamps slashed recently? eom

[underthematrix]

8. Not in Nevada. It's been like that for about five years. I no longer live there but they

believe in providing as little as possible for their citizens.

[Frustratedlady]

31. Sick! Was that under Republican legislation? eom

[underthematrix]

38. the SNAP program is federal but implemented at the state level

Sandoval is the GOP gov.

[dlwickham]

11. I don't think so

food stamps are asset based; I'm on Medicare and I have too many assets to fully qualify for food stamps

when I was on medicaid, I qualified fully

[Frustratedlady]

6. Good grief.

You couldn't even fill a plastic bag at the grocery store for that amount. The $18 must be true, then.

I know of people who are getting $500-600/month Social Security. Even if the government subsidizes their rent, it would be rough.

I saw an elderly man at the grocery around Thanksgiving and was surprised at the few items he had in his cart. Small cans of tuna, bread, milk and tea. I was concerned about him because he had osteoporosis so bad that it was hard for him to reach the items, so I followed him to be sure he could reach what he wanted. He added some oatmeal and went to the checkout lane.

These people were probably productive people in their youth and adulthood but are now living under conditions they never expected due to circumstances beyond their control. They live it 24/7 with no break unless they are hospitalized. What a sad ending to life.

[marybourg]

12. It's always been a sliding amount

based on your income. If your income were to go up for some reason, even temporarily, your food stamps, now called SNAP, goes down.

Of course, with what we now have pretending to run the country, the reality could be anything. Maybe they need the SNAP money to subsidize the taxscam.

[Frustratedlady]

32. I'm sure he has plans for further orneriness.

There is something wrong when a person lords over people because it makes him feel macho. It would be great if, after all these hearings, his assets are captured by the courts. The good side is he wouldn't have to worry about filling out tax forms.

[Skittles]

14. I occasionally send cash to a couple of elderly gals I know on fixed incomes

it really, really helps

[Frustratedlady]

34. Good for you. I'm sure they appreciate it.

Even if it's a little extra for a "pretty"...particularly for women. It would take the sting out of the misery they are going through for no reason except ego and greed.

[JI7]

16. isn't the food pantry a private thing ?

there is no obligation for them to help her which means it could end anytime.

getting 100 a month is very little that she should still get it even if the pantry was covering all her meals.

[Frustratedlady]

19. No, her food stamps were cut from $100 to $18 and that is why the church is helping her.

Surely, the government wouldn't cancel her food stamps if they found out she was going to a food pantry, but anymore, I wouldn't be surprised at any action they would take.

Part of the problem for the elderly is that they have to be really hurting before they would humble themselves enough to seek help. I would imagine a lot of the paperwork would be another downer and they'd tend to give up. They are proud people and crawling to the government for help would be humiliating enough. It just makes me so angry.

I can't even imagine what they are doing to children.

[JI7]

20. yes, the paper work and other things are a problem for many

it is very important they always have someone who could assist them and not take advantage of them.

[PatrickforO]

18. Yes. This is very good.

I also recommend we vote these fucks out of office so we can reverse this horror of transferring all the wealth to the few so the many suffer.

[Frustratedlady]

21. But the next election is so far away. Many people could be gone by the time we get them out.

Look at all the money wasted on elections anymore. What a waste. A waste of time (congresscritters spend more time raising funds than governing). No one watches the ads, so why have them every hour on the hour? Shorten the time for campaigning. Save that money for important things, not ego shows.

God, I'm getting old-fashioned in my thinking. But, we need to get back to basics.

[JohnnyRingo]

22. My former wife was cut from $50 to $15 in food last fall

She's also on SS and isn't healthy enough for available work (thank a democrat for Medicare). Fortunately, she gets a bump to her SS because of our lengthy marital union back in the day, but it's still well less than $1000. She's been fighting for a couple years to get disability, but the hurdles are far between and high. Her mobile home is paid for, but she drives a little 15 year old S10 Chevy rust bucket truck.

So sure, this is what America is now, but what will the next generation face? Something has to done yesterday.


BTW... I help my ex out all I can by printing out diets and energy saving tips.. Just kidding, we share six grandchildren. She's family.

[Frustratedlady]

26. $15? That's an insult. They might as well keep it.

The paperwork and processing would cost more than that.

Good you get along and you can help her out.

Boy, I missed this completely. I try to keep up with the news, but this slipped under the radar. I thought it was still in the talking stage.

[JohnnyRingo]

40. She helps me out too.

She nags me endlessly about taking my medicine and quitting smoking, so it works both ways. The bright side is that at poverty level below $10k she pays no federal taxes. On yet another hand, she isn't getting a big Trump tax cut either. She would literally be unable to survive if not for food pantries. Her mother is 88 and in the same boat. She has a decent small home and drives a Saturn.

There really is no such thing as welfare for those without dependent children anymore, at least not in Ohio. Republicans have gradually moved us into their "if you don't work, you don't eat" society, and that includes the elderly.

[bitterross]

23. The sad truth is Food Stamps are supposed to be supplemental - not primary.

The program is supposed to supplement the food budget. Not be the entire budget. Unfortunately, it is the entire budget for most.

This is why a basic minimum income is needed.

[TexasBushwhacker]

24. Food stamps are primarily for families with children

It's pretty hard to qualify as a single person, even if you are elderly. I had a disabled roommate who was receiving SSI of $800 per month. She only got $18 in food stamps. How someone is supposed to survive on $800 a month?

[moriah]

39. Public housing. If you can get through the wait list.

That makes housing costs max at 30% of income. SSI recipients also usually qualify for Medicaid, so medical transportation is a benefit, and don't have a Medicare premium deducted (for those who are dual Medicare/Medicaid eligible).

I'm not on SSI, but instead SSDI, so am lucky enough to draw more. I still qualify to get into public housing but 30% after medical is about enough to be a roommate, leaving the few units we have for single adult disabled people open for someone who can't live any other way. And once I'm done with car payments started before my disability, I'll have a lot more free income.

[fierywoman]

25. Frustrated lady -- thanks for putting this idea out there....

... I used to stay with an older friend of a friend (who, of course, quickly became a friend) who had a house near where I had rehearsals and concerts. Staying there saved me 160 mile daily round trips. So, during the day, I cooked and cooked (I love to cook) and froze what I made into one portion sizes. It made me so happy to be able to help in this way! I'm going to look around and see who needs feeding.

[Frustratedlady]

28. Good for you! Thank you for joining the battle.

It would make it easier if those receiving the food had a freezer...at least on their fridge...then, they could have it as back-up. The last woman I sent food to (my daughter was also supplying food) didn't have a microwave NOR did she want to use an extra one I had. So everything had to be taken to her while ready to eat. She would eat leftovers cold. She was 99 when she died.

Onward and upward!

[left-of-center2012]

27. I get $25 a month in EBT (food stamps) ...

Here in New Mexico.

[Frustratedlady]

29. I'm not trying to snoop, but does that do much to help you with your monthly needs?

Since there is no way that would cover your monthly food expenses, what type of food would that cover? Are you able to get cheese, peanut butter and other foods through subsidies or outright availability from the county or state? I forget what they call it.

Does that question even make sense?

[left-of-center2012]

33. I primarily use my Social Security money each month for food ...

and let my EBT add up for about three months,
and then spend down from the saved $75.

The EBT can be used on most foods, except alcohol.
Which is fine because my drinking is about two Pina Coladas a year.

[Frustratedlady]

35. If Trump keeps cutting assistance to the elderly and children...

you might need more than 2 Pina Coladas.

I'm glad you are able to make it with what you get.

Have a PC on New Year's Eve.

[dae]

36. K&R

[MFM008]

37. they just slashed

14.00 off my meager EBT amount.