1 million Americans will stop receiving food stamps

[left-of-center2012]

As many as 1 million Americans will stop receiving food stamps over the course of this year beginning on Friday, the consequence of a controversial work mandate that has been reinstated in 22 states as the economy improves.

The 20-year-old rule — which was suspended in many states during the economic recession — requires that adults without children or disabilities must have a job in order to receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for more than three months, with some exceptions.
Many states have begun to reimpose the federal rule as the economy recovers, with the largest group reviving it at the beginning of this year.

Opponents of the work mandate say the three-month time limit is out of sync with the reality of the current job market. The average amount of time unemployed Americans spend looking for work has fallen since its peak in 2011, but is still almost 30 weeks, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — roughly two and half times longer than the work requirement allows.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/01/why-tens-of-thousands-of-americas-poorest-people-just-lost-their-food-stamps/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_wb-foodstamps-1136am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory

[hopemountain]

1. persons living in communities with no jobs

should be waived from allowing this ruling/law. i live in a rural community of 20,000 people and there are only a handful of jobs. the next urban center is 45 miles away. there is one bus to that city that runs once per day. most folks in this town do not have personal vehicle transportation. every child in the elementary, middle and high school qualifies for the supplemental breakfast and lunch program. many single adults live with their parents. those parents are often also unemployed or disabled or receive minimum social security. so, now, the entire community of volunteers has the burden of providing more food/meals to feed the homeless and hungry young families whose pantries are bare at the end of the month.

[Snarkoleptic]

2. Fear not! In the grand Clintonian tradition, Hillary will lend a hand to those in need!

[Octafish]

35. Don't think the person in the hole didn't notice the ladder getting pulled up by the guy in the suit

Now through the Sequester and Austerity, they're putting a bars across the top and an electrified fence around the facility. Bastards.

[Snarkoleptic]

39. Indeed, even those us us not in the pit are penned-in by the corporatocracy.

[Dustlawyer]

7. My ex-wife has been unemployed for a year. She just lost out on a job where she mad the final 3 out

of 2,500 applicants for the position. 2,500!!! She has a Master's degree and it was a job working for the state at $40,000 per year!

My disabled brother gets $735 per month in disability and $165 in food stamps per month. Try living on that! Yet Republicans seem to believe that most people on government aid just want to mooch off of the government. They paint it as though he is living large, really?

[hopemountain]

13. i hope things brighten in

the near future, dustlawyer. keep a strong heart.

[SammyWinstonJack]

47. This is a twenty year old rule. BILL Clinton, the best republican president we ever had .

[Baobab]

53. Politicians are puffing up their responsibilities dishonestly

For example, pretending to be "debating" health care reform for years when it was taken out of their hands two decades ago.

[sammythecat]

22. Sounds just like where I live. County with 20,000

and nearest city 45 miles away. There are more, but not enough, opportunities there, but what some fail to consider is that job in the city requires a car capable of, at very minimum, 450 miles every week. Most people receiving food stamps don't have reliable cars and they can't save the money for the inevitable costly repairs a 20 yr old car traveling 450mi a week is going to require. And that 45 miles just gets you to the city limit. The job will almost certainly be another 10-15 miles of stop and go traffic further. And also, unless you have a degree and getting paid commensurately, that job you probably can't afford to travel to will likely pay 10-11 dollars an hour.

It's a tough situation. I've been there. Being poor is really hard (the hardest "job" I've ever had) and absolutely no fun at all, and getting out of being poor is exceedingly difficult. Fuck all that hard work and bootstraps bullshit, about the only thing that works is good luck.

Having said all that, I guess there's no denying that if we just deny $200/month in food stamps to young (and old) single people with no family support and no job that America will be so much better off. Right? Hell, that bit of money saved won't make any measurable difference in the life of anyone else, but it will increase the hardship for poor it might help. Maybe that's why we do things like this. Meanness just for he sake of being mean.

[hopemountain]

43. exactly. because they can...

in our state it is not $200 per month foodstamps for the unemployed. far less. the average is closer to $120.

[Flyingbird5066]

3. White impoverished Repubs shout yeah until they realize they're among the million cut

[elljay]

6. Then they'll blame Big Government

and the Dems. They already know they're being screwed, but just refuse to believe that it is their own party screwing them. Lost cause, I fear.

[jtuck004]

4. President Obama signs $8.7 billion food stamp cut into law

"On Friday, President Obama added his signature to legislation that will cut $8.7 billion in food stamp benefits over the next 10 years, causing 850,000 households to lose an average of $90 per month. The signing of the legislation known as the 2014 Farm Bill occurred at a public event in East Lansing, Mich.


MSNBC LIVE WITH TAMRON HALL , 2/7/14, 3:02 PM ET
Pres. Obama signs Farm Bill

The food stamp cuts are one component of a massive omnibus bill which also includes billions of dollars in crop insurance and various other programs and subsidies involving American agriculture. Before he signed the legislation, President Obama praised it as an example of bipartisan problem-solving that would help create jobs and move the American economy forward.
“Congress passed a bipartisan Farm Bill that is going to make a big difference in communities across the country,” said the president.

Obama’s remarks also focused heavily on economic inequality, which he has previously called “the defining challenge of our time.” The Farm Bill, he said, would “give more Americans a shot at opportunity.”,,,

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/obama-signs-food-stamp-cut

Pretty good, for a 1%er and president who increased his net worth by $6 million dollars while he was in office. Bet he or his family has never had to survive on the scraps we give people to eat with food stamps, and he thinks they aren't even worth that.

[mountain grammy]

5. The loss of $90 a month in food stamps is all of it..

$90 a month.. wowser! Can't have these families eating lobster every night, now can we? Especially when farmers are so needy of their subsidies.. which is what the farm bill is all about! Yes, this bill will make a big difference.. more children, old people, and disbaled people in America will be hungry.. wow, progress!

[DhhD]

42. The shot at opportunity gives hungry children and the disabled what opportunity?

[hopemountain]

44. bi-corporate lobbying is more like it/

"bi-partisan" - a smoking mirror for backroom deals to benefit corporate agriculture - not the true farmers. crop "insurance" for monsanto in the event local communities ban them.

[SammyWinstonJack]

48. President Obama to food stamp recipients...EAT YOUR PEAS!

[choie]

52. Yup and that's why my

Elderly clients are only receiving $16/month in food stamps...that really doesn't buy much in NYC.

[killbotfactory]

8. just give food stamps to everyone who applies for it

end hunger in our country

oh, the tax rate of billionaires might increase a couple percent? never mind then.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

20. Many Many Thanks

food for all

[Baobab]

54. The US is fighting countries giving poor people food in the

W_T_O

That's probably what is behind this.

Similar issues exist with education and health care.

[davidthegnome]

9. I wish someone could explain to me...

how a slightly improved/improving economy for the majority of us justifies the elimination of funding for a very basic life necessity.

Feel free to point out and correct me if I am wrong... however, my understanding is that the vast, overwhelming majority of this recovery has gone into the pockets of the richest Americans. What we have seen is the growth of jobs, sadly though, most of the new jobs we are getting are no where near the quality of the jobs that were lost during the great recession. It's one thing to be unemployed... as I can say from current experience - it rather sucks, particularly when no benefits are available to you.

However... jobs that pay minimum wage or slightly above, do not offer benefits - the millions and millions of part time jobs, also without benefits... the recent attacks on unions, unionization and so on... it does not look like a great recovery to me, from the POV of the average American worker.

I am so damn sick of these federal and state mandates that seem to be created for the sole purpose of punishing people for being poor. I don't need food stamps because my family feeds me, but I did once - and without them I would have gone from being poor and hungry fairly often, to potentially starving to death. Also...

"The 20-year-old rule — which was suspended in many states during the economic recession — requires that adults without children or disabilities must have a job in order to receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for more than three months, with some exceptions. "

You can be mildly disabled without qualifying for state or federal purposes as being "too disabled to work" (and some of what is considered "mildly disabled/not disabled enough" would probably shock people). What I don't get though... is being required to have a job in order to receive food stamps for more than three months... I mean, WTF? Wouldn't it make more sense to continue granting this benefit to people who DONT have jobs, even more so than to people who are working for the wages of poverty?

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely think that we need to provide benefits to people working for poverty wages in this dumpster economy (at least, dumpster economy for the working poor, working class, and just plain poor) but to exclude people uhm, because they are unemployed? What kind of ignorant dipshit even suggests such a thing?

The assholes that put together these mandates and such, for the most part... have absolutely no understanding of what the "real" economy is for the majority of people receiving benefits, or for those who have lost and will lose them due to these so called "tough love" measures, that, in reality, are; "We don't give a fuck/hate the poor" measures.

If I have a cause - it is the cause of the working poor, the just plain poor, and the working class overall. We need to create, strengthen, and immediately administer a strong, powerful, wide-reaching "New Deal". This is how democrats will lead the way - and win the Country going forward. Not through austerity measures and a lack of consideration and empathy for the poor... but through proving through our policies our powerful compassion, empathy - and noble ideals.

[Lars39]

34. Righteous rant, davidthegnome!

[azmom]

40. [phone]

[hopemountain]

45. they really think we are stupid

and asleep. assholes is right.

[SammyWinstonJack]

49. +1000000

[maindawg]

10. Here is what I think

I think every American citizen should get a EBT card. Just like you get a SS card and a number. And when you turn 18 automatic voterdraft registration or required registration men and women. Standard. Along with your medicare ID card . The minimum wage should be 10 dollars an hour.
Everyone including children should carry an EBT card, good for any kind of food purchase. No one in America should devote one second to worrying about food let alone suffer a moment of hunger much less suffer the debilitating effect of starvation or the ill health you suffer from an improper diet. Health care is effected by these deprivations. And that contributes to our national health. All 325 million Americans should be registered contributing members to medicare it is a fucking outrage that we are not. While some few hundred millionaires and billionaires collude to hold our nation hostage under their insurance racquet we all suffer. They have their foot on our throat. Like a monster on the loose.(Steppenwolf) . This would assure that every American is at least fed. It would also remove any stigma associated with the EBT card.It would also infuse money into the food industry, improving the product ,lowering costs,opening up new markets , new businesses and JOBS.
EBT CARDS FOR ALL NOW

[Dustlawyer]

11. I know so many wealthy people who put goats or imported deer (very small ones)

on their big estates to get a huge "farm tax break". They don't sell them or anything, just do enough for the tax break. There was an expensive piece of property along a major thoroughfare that was for sale for years right in the middle of the most expensive area of town and they kept goats there for the tax break while waiting to flip the property. The rich still get all of the breaks and the poor must tighten their belts yet again, this is what Bernie is fighting against. Clinton will only continue this type of bi-partisian effort since she and the Republicans have the same Donors!

[Overseas]

12. Sad K&R. So hard to accept we cut food stamps instead of bloated military budget.

[warrprayer]

14. S.O.B s

I live in Pa..
I am recieving SNAP and this is the first I have heard of this.
No letter telling of coming reduction, nothing.
Don't want people to get mobilized before this shit is pulled, and start writing petitions, rallying, etc. to throw some if those who voted for this disgrace OUT ON THEIR ASSES LIKE THE PEOPLE THEY SO OBVIOUSLY DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT!

[Cryptoad]

16. SNAP program are administrated at State Level

so every state will be different... Check with ur State officals

[Cryptoad]

15. Go Hug a Republican

and those who will not vote against them!

[BuelahWitch]

28. See post #4

for an example of "bipartisan problem solving."

[Cryptoad]

36. thats what happens when u dont have control of congress

u have to govern by give, take and compromise . Prez has done a wonderful job considering he only had control of teh Senate for 13 wks all the time he s been in office.

[BuelahWitch]

37. Instead of compromise he could have used another "c" word: courage

and vetoed it, in honor of those who would go hungry. But of course, the Obama family will never have to go without a meal, so who cares?

[Cryptoad]

38. Do u know what all was in that bill?

[BuelahWitch]

41. Did you go to the link?

"In fact, the benefits reduction would eliminate the state-level “Heat and Eat” policies currently employed in 15 states and Washington, D.C."
I have no idea who that "farm bill" helped (probably the big factory farms) but the President sure didn't show any compassion (another "c" word) for the people who would lose their "heat and eat" benefits.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/obama-signs-food-stamp-cut

[Equinox Moon]

17. Koch brothers at work

I have been reading the book:
Dark Money - The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right
by Jane Mayer

The Koch brother's and their network of billionaires are behind ridiculous acts like this.

I wonder if anyone is trying to put a case together to indict them for political coup of America?

[left-of-center2012]

18. "President Obama praised it ...

“... going to make a big difference in communities across the country,”

[warrprayer]

24. ...

what a disappointment

[zentrum]

19. Didn't some of those

….RW Terrorists in Oregon receive food stamps?

[PatrynXX]

21. not like I want a disability either

Clinical longterm depression is a disability and in the irony of things not entirely sure how much having depression labeled as one helps. especially with people older adults pushing me down so often

[warrprayer]

23. A question

in the article, it doesn't tell us how it came to pass that all these states decided all at once to do this, nor does it tell us specifically who was responsible for reinstating this garbage.

I smell A. L. E. C..

Please inform me on this.

[left-of-center2012]

26. I smell A. L. E. C.. - Please inform me on this.

See post #25, below:
"Clintons to blame for this mess?"

[left-of-center2012]

25. Clintons to blame for this mess?

Googling further, I found this:
"The requirement in question ... was set by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, aka the "welfare reform" bill. The bill was introduced in Congress by Kasich and signed by Bill Clinton;
Hillary Clinton has long described it as a significant achievement.

The New York Times reported in 2008 that (Hillary) Clinton had "expressed no misgivings about the 1996 legislation" during an interview in which she said welfare should be "a temporary way station for people who need immediate assistance."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/02/01/impending_food_stamp_cutoff_was_set_by_kasich_clinton_bill_in_1990s.html

[warrprayer]

29. Thanks

what I want to know is what parties are directly responsible for the mysterious, unannounced, simultaneous and secretive resurrection of this "hate ths poor" policy.

[Major Hogwash]

32. Jesus, she has no compassion for hungry people.

What the fuck do they expect everyone affected by this cut in the program to do, go to a church food bank?

This is bad.
And bad timing for Hillary.

[felix_numinous]

27. Torches and pitchforks

are on the horizon if this continues, they are pushing it.

[warrprayer]

30. I want names

and there doesn't seem to be anyone attaching theirs to this crap.

[AngryAmish]

31. What rethug asshole thought this rule was a good idea?

This is only supported by heartless monsters.

[SammyWinstonJack]

50. 20 year old rule.....Bill Clinton....

[Major Hogwash]

33. So, first the fed government agrees wih corporations to ship our jobs overseas, and then they take

. . . away the safety net that would provide basis sustenance for those people who lost their jobs!!

Wow, what a concept.
They want us to starve to death, in the richest nation in the world.

[Liberal_in_LA]

46. ..

[Turbineguy]

51. The republican social safety net plan:

Entice Kim Jung Un to send care packages.