Posted on 10/25/2013 8:29:26 AM PDT by markomalley
The latest buzz about food stamps is that benefit amounts will be “cut” beginning November 1.
But what is this “cut”? Basically, it’s the benefit amount returning to the level it would have otherwise been if not for the 2009 stimulus.
In 2009, President Obama’s stimulus package temporarily pumped extra dollars into food stamps in an attempt to stimulate the economy [2] . The temporary increase is now ending. On average, household benefits for those receiving the maximum amount of food stamps will decrease by about 5 percent.
Of course, the whims of Washington are now making it difficult for individuals and families who suddenly have to adjust to a lower amount of benefits. Still, the expiration of the temporary stimulus boost should not be dubbed a “cut.”
It’s also important to remember that food stamps is just one of roughly 80 federally funded means-tested welfare programs [3] , which provide cash, food, housing, medical care, and social services to poor and lower-income Americans.
Food stamp spending is one of the largest and fastest growing of these programs. Spending doubled between fiscal year (FY) 2008 and FY 2012 to approximately $80 billion and had previously doubled—prior to the recession—between FY 2000 and FY 2007.
In total, the federal government now spends nearly $1 trillion annually on means-tested welfare programs, and costs are only set to increase, even once the economy has fully recovered.
In fact, the typical pattern over the past five decades is for welfare spending to grow during times of recession. However, it never decreases substantially thereafter. Instead, it picks up from where it left off and continues its upward climb [4] .
Article printed from The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation: http://blog.heritage.org
URL to article: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/10/25/the-story-on-novembers-food-stamps-cuts/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/TANF-Card.jpg
[2] stimulate the economy: http://blog.heritage.org/2013/06/03/food-stamps-dont-stimulate-economic-growth/
[3] 80 federally funded means-tested welfare programs: http://www.heritage.org/research/testimony/2012/05/examining-the-means-tested-welfare-state
[4] continues its upward climb: http://familyfacts.org/charts/310/since-the-war-on-poverty-began-in-1964-welfare-spending-has-skyrocketed
Too bad the govt can’t figure out who really needs the EBT card.
Even slight cuts might be enough to cause riots with these people.
A neighbor got his notice yesterday. Its a whopping $11 dollar cut and clearly states that its a result of the end of the stimulus money.
Cut. But the software for the cut was written by CGI, and due to a glitch, everyone’s EBT allotment was inadvertently cut to zero.
Sorry about the inconvenience, it’s Bush’s fault, and we should be able to fix it in a couple months.
Merry Christmas.
I saw an article yesterday saying DHS is spending 80 million in preparation of riots over these cuts. I don’t think 5% cut will cause riots, unless the liberals instigate them.
I’ve seen the same stories. I agree with you, it shouldn’t be cause for concern unless its “staged” to excuse a martial law practice drill. They seem anxious to do that.
My neighbor says the $11 cut to $189 for he and his daughter isn’t going to be any great hardship. It helps that he was smart and used some of the money this spring to grow a large garden so he has lots of frozen and canned veggies that put him ahead of the game for winter.
The natives are already restless .... you are taking things AWAY, no matter how small the amount. I believe it was Hillary who said ““We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.” Hmmm, funny the Libs/Progs/Democr@ps/LowInfos don’t like their queen’s pronouncements when it applies to them.
This means they might have to buy frozen shrimp instead of fresh?
There is no such thing as a “temporary” stimulus or a “temporary” tax cut.
So, which islamic group has hussein written the check to from all these saved US taxpayer dollars?
How about those who are buying Lobsters???
I cannot remember the last time I had lobster-—it was well over 40 years ago. And- I have never been on welfare.
FWIW, it has been awhile since I had one as well. But Red Lobster is running a $15 per plate special in November and several of my hunting pals have invited me to join them for a guy's night out. Maybe I will.
So? I just had to take a 10% cut in my monthly income!
I had to buy tires....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
