Welfare Reform Insanity: Banning Convicted Drug Offenders from Food Stamps for Life

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/food/welfare-reform-insanity-banning-convicted-drug-offenders-food-stamps-life



Victoria Sutherland is a 34-year-old mother of one and a former manager of a McDonalds in Sacramento. She has a drug conviction on her record from an incident in Portland, Oregon 13 years ago, when she lied to police and said her friend’s drugs actually belonged to her. Though she has served her sentence, because of her drug conviction, Sutherland is now banned from accessing food stamps for the rest of her life.

“I’m now living with my five-month-old son in a homeless shelter,” Sutherland told AlterNet.

As a result of welfare reform , enacted 17 years ago this month, Sutherland and other poor Americans in 12 states are banned from accessing food stamps because they have made mistakes with drugs at some point in their past. While Sutherland’s son does qualify for food stamps and welfare, the total comes to $500 per month in assistance, which barely pays for his food and diapers.

The ban on Sutherland’s food stamps as well as her welfare benefits impacts her much more deeply than just accessing food on a daily basis. “Since I don't qualify for benefits, I do not qualify for welfare to work, which would offer childcare services,” Sutherland said. “So I’m also not able to work at all right now because I have nobody to care for my kid.”

[dtom67]

1. we cannot afford food for children....

But we got a nice Tomahawk for him....

[newfie11]

2. What a selfish evil country we have become

If someone makes a mistake they pay for life.
What's left but to go back to a life of crime.
Of course the private prison system will be making loads of money.
This reminds me of a futuristic horror movie.

[classykaren]

3. I am truely shocked

I had no idea this crap was going on. What are the states that do this?

[DLevine]

4. We are governed by sociopaths. Sickening. nt

[Puzzledtraveller]

5. Convicted drug felons are already disqualified for SNAP benefits.

If the client has a felony drug conviction and has been assessed as chemically dependent, is in treatment or has completed treatment and provides a SAP certificate they can have the disqualification removed and once again be eligible for benefits. SNAP caseworker.