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STIMULUS WATCH: Extra $25 a week in unemployment benefits cancels food stamps for some
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-us-stimulus-food-stamps,0,2265526.story ^

Posted on 06/16/2009 9:26:37 AM PDT by texrepub76

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama increased unemployment benefits as part of his economic stimulus, he also made some Americans ineligible for hundreds of dollars a month in food stamps. Under the economic recovery plan, laid-off workers have seen a $25 weekly bump in their unemployment checks as part of a broad expansion of benefits for the poor. But the law did not raise the income cap for food stamp eligibility, so the extra money has pushed some people over the limit. Laid-off workers and state officials are only now realizing the quirk, a consequence of pushing a $787 billion, 400-page bill through Congress and into law in three weeks. And for people hurt by the change, there's no way around it. Related links Mark Milota Photo Mark Milota Photo Mark Milota Photo "Everybody tells you, 'Yeah, I can understand why you're frustrated. It doesn't sound right.' But nobody knows where to go," said Mark Milota, 47, of Marietta, Ga., who was laid off in November from his job at a medical billing company. The Georgia Department of Human Resources explained in a letter to him last month that, because of the stimulus, he was ineligible for food stamps. He now makes $1,538 a month — $21 too much for a family of two to qualify. "We have to pay him that $25 a week," said Brenda Brown, assistant commissioner at the Georgia Department of Labor. "And he doesn't have the option not to accept it."

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: foodstamps; paragraphs; stimuluswatch; unemployment; urlisnotthesource
Why I wish no ill will on those who actually trying to work, its hilarious that a lack of research in the effects of the spendulous might actually stimulate the gubment moochers to get off their butts! I'm sure they'll love BO for this!
1 posted on 06/16/2009 9:26:38 AM PDT by texrepub76
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To: texrepub76

Are folks allowed to return the $25?


2 posted on 06/16/2009 9:32:13 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
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To: Paladin2
""We have to pay him that $25 a week," said Brenda Brown, assistant commissioner at the Georgia Department of Labor. "And he doesn't have the option not to accept it."

LOL. And these 0b0z0s want to run health care?

3 posted on 06/16/2009 9:33:44 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Big Ears + Big Spending --> BigEarMarx, the man behind TOTUS)
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To: texrepub76

When you eat from the master’s hand, the master is not only in charge of what you eat, but how much of it you get to eat.


4 posted on 06/16/2009 9:34:33 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
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To: texrepub76

If the clowns in Congress had been professionals, they might have: (1) read the bill before voting for it, and (2) publicized the contents of the stimulus bill for a comment period so that the experts could point out this sort of stupidity. Instead of professionals though, we have Pelosi and Reid. They only care about power, not outcomes or people. It’s sad that so many will suffer for what I’ll admit are the natural consequences of voting for democrats.


5 posted on 06/16/2009 9:36:09 AM PDT by TurtleUp (So this is how liberty dies - to thunderous applause!)
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To: Paladin2

No - they have to accept it! Aint no government grand. And these are the nimrods trying to cram national health care!


6 posted on 06/16/2009 9:36:56 AM PDT by texrepub76
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To: texrepub76

He makes over $1500 per month in unemployment???? What is the incentive to work. Hell if his wife can draw unemployment that makes for a pretty good gig.


7 posted on 06/16/2009 9:39:57 AM PDT by martinidon
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To: texrepub76

One can go to the nearest Angelfood host and get a weeks worth of food for a family of four at 30.00 a week.

Good stuff too.


8 posted on 06/16/2009 9:42:36 AM PDT by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
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To: martinidon

What a refreshing thought - I was beginning to think I was the only one who found it absurd that I could pay my mortgage and car payment with his level of unemployment benefits.


9 posted on 06/16/2009 9:43:34 AM PDT by texrepub76
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To: Dixie Yooper
When you eat from the master’s hand, the master is not only in charge of what you eat, but how much of it you get to eat.

I'm going to print this and paste by my cat's food bowls because she's been getting rather finicky lately ;-)

10 posted on 06/16/2009 9:45:42 AM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: netmilsmom

Yes but you see that would require getting your A$$ off the couch and away from the Jerry Springer shows. Hey wait that gives me an idea - lets fund a study to see if they take the crap they play on daytime TV off the air if more people are inspired to get up and get to work.


11 posted on 06/16/2009 9:46:08 AM PDT by texrepub76
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To: martinidon

For your information, Here in MN the maximum unemployment benefit amount comes out to $2000/month plus the $100 “stimulus”.


12 posted on 06/16/2009 9:47:34 AM PDT by voteNRA (A citizenry armed with rifles simply cannot be tyrannized)
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To: texrepub76

I am with you. I can pay my mortgage and put food on the table for the entire month with those type benefits. If I can get my wife on the payroll I could play golf a couple times a week......


13 posted on 06/16/2009 9:56:24 AM PDT by martinidon
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To: voteNRA

I am moving to MN!


14 posted on 06/16/2009 9:57:28 AM PDT by martinidon
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To: martinidon

LOL, Its not wort it, much warmer where you are


15 posted on 06/16/2009 10:01:39 AM PDT by voteNRA (A citizenry armed with rifles simply cannot be tyrannized)
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To: voteNRA

Yeah, but with those type benefits I can own a home in MN and AZ. I will stay in MN in the summer and AZ in the winter. Why work

BTW, do they allow CCW in MN?


16 posted on 06/16/2009 10:05:04 AM PDT by martinidon
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To: martinidon

absolutely, with very few restrictions as to where you can carry. No schools, daycare, federal buildings and thats about it, everywhere else is good.


17 posted on 06/16/2009 10:07:52 AM PDT by voteNRA (A citizenry armed with rifles simply cannot be tyrannized)
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