SNAP reform an urgent need

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | May 13, 2012 | Editorial

[Graybeard58]

Last month, House Republicans unveiled a plan to cut the federal budget by $261 billion over the next decade. One of the cornerstones of the proposal is a substantial cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as the food-stamp program. Democrats have resorted to their usual demagoguery in the face of spending-cut proposals by the GOP. "We're literally going to take it out of the mouths of babes. It's outrageous," said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.

Around the same time, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) weighed in on the future of SNAP, which is administered by the federal Department of Agriculture, with benefits distributed by the states. It concluded that without some fixing, the program will continue to be expensive and will undermine the work ethic, a fundamental tenet of American society. The CBO suggested some common-sense improvements that are worthy of support.

According to the CBO's report, in fiscal year 2011, the federal government spent a record $78 billion on SNAP, and nearly 45 million people received benefits each month. It also noted that even though the economy is expected to rebound by fiscal year 2022, at that time, about 34 million people still will be receiving SNAP benefits each month; this is projected to cost $73 billion, which will be one of "the highest (expenditures) on all non-health-related federal support programs for low-income households."

[Bon of Babble]

In California, EBT/SNAP cards are now called “California Fresh” and made up to look like beautiful credit cards.

Well, California has 12% of the U.S. population but 33% of ALL welfare recipients so we will be the first to fall!!

It’s rare when I DON’T see the “California Fresh” card used.

[Sparticus]

The only food “aid” that should be available is 3 MRE’s a day.

I like your sentiment, but MRE's are actually quite expensive compared to foods you have to cook. What I think should be done is to limit EBT purchases to the WIC program list of healthy(er)foods: eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables, cereals, rice, beans, flour, bread, etc. Maybe allow uncooked poultry and ground beef, too. Why should people be allowed to use food stamps to pay for candy, soda, and all kinds of junk food? You want that stuff? Go get a job.

[reformedliberal]

I see signs on all the fast food restaurants proclaiming they accept EBT.

I remember when food aid meant excess commodities given out in bulk once a month. I knew a couple of kids whose families were eligible for them. All the moms could cook and they could stretch those commodities with a few purchases. People ate healthily and no one starved. Oh, and everyone in those families worked. Some of the kids were ashamed of being poor, but the families I knew were close and loving and good people, with nothing to be ashamed of. There were deaths or illness, mostly, that caused them to have less.

[gimme1ibertee]

One possible solution:

(document presented in language of applicant).....Public Assistance Implementation and Usage Contract. This contract, entered into on (date) and expiring on (18 months from implementation date) by the (state agency) and applicant(s) listed herein (must submit names of applicant and children born to her via birth records),allows for the provision of food,housing allowance,child care and education for the purposes of job placement during the contract period,and is understood by all parties concerned that the provision of aforementioned assistance is on a one-time basis,not to be repeated or reinstated at any time for any reason between the applicant(s) and the agency named herein,and is for the aforementioned time period only,and can only be implemented following presentation of documents proving legal citizenship status and a drug screening process,both of which are to be conducted by the agency. Once legal citizenship status and drug screen results are known by the agency and the applicant and found to be favorable,this contract can then be implemented.The following covenants hereby apply and are agreed upon by both the named agency herein and the applicant(s) seeking assistance (failure of any one of these covenants will be considered a contract breach on the part of the applicant,and will result in immediate termination of the contract;assistance will be terminated immediately and can never be reinstated at any time in the future for any reason: Applicant MUST disclose the name(s) of the absent parent of applicant's child/children so that an attempt to obtain monetary support for those children can be made through DNA analysis. Failure to disclose the absent parent's name will result in automatic immediate cessation of benefits. applicant will submit to random home visits which will be unannounced and will occur during the 5-day work week,normally during the early afternoon hours; applicant will submit to random drug testing as directed by the agency; applicant must not conceive,adopt (formally or informally,including family members,immediate or extended) marry or cohabitate during the contract period; applicant must attend a one-year vocational program via a voucher provided by the agency;applicant must attend each class ( two absences will be allowed during the contract period and a doctor's note must be submitted upon returning to class for each absence) and a transportation voucher will be provided by the agency for transportation during class hours;child care will be provided by the agency during class hours only. Once applicant graduates from vocational training, a two-month job-placement period will commence,with child care provided by the agency; Upon applicant's employment,there will be an additional 4 months of ongoing assistance to allow applicant enough time to establish themselves in their occupation and to make child-care arrangements for after the contract period. Once this contract has reached its expiration date,the assistance provided,all provisions and covenants and financial considerations as well,will cease and terminate permanently.The applicant is barred from any and all future assistance. I,________________ hereby agree to adhere to all covenants,rules,etc of this contract. I realize and fully understand that I am bound by this contract in order to receive assistance in any form,and that any violation or breach will result in my not receiving any form of assistance any further. I agree further that this contract was fully explained to me by the agency caseworker and that I will fully comply. (sign & date here)____________________________ Agency hereby agrees to and will implement to the best of its ability and obligations,all covenants of this contract. (agency sign & date)_______________________

[ReagansShinyHair]

Oh my gosh, you should read about how the women (almost always unwed mothers) complain that they can’t get ORGANIC milk on WIC. Oh, the horror. As if all the rest of us go around buying $8 gallons of milk. The overwhelming majority posting mention about how they’re on WIC and food stamps. Keep breedin’ what you can’t be feedin’.