I just read all the comments on this thread and saw that no one stated the true facts. Those being that since 1996 were major changes in the Food Stamp program. One of those being that single people can only get them for three months in any three year period of time, that the amount is based on income, including assets with your car being counted, with set limitations. That those that are married or with children are also held to stringent standards. There is a mandatory employment and training requirement, and other rules, It is not like people just go and decide to get on food stamps and never pay for their own food again. There are many more requirements, but no one is listing them here. The program was set up to help people get back on track, not give them hand outs to live off when they are capable f making it on their own.
Please note that not until October of 2002 were more immigrants allowed food stamps and they are encouraged to apply. www.lawhelp.org/.../itopicID/467/iProblemCodeID/1731200/ iChannelID/76/isubtopicid/1/iproblemcodeid/1731200
That those that are married or with children are also held to stringent standards. The standards are not stringent. You can go into stores around here and see more people using food stamps than are using cash, they are allowed to purchase nothing but junk foods, there is often a working man living in the household who stands right in line with the family and buys the beer and cigarettes and lottery tickets with cash. "Common-law marriages" also are very convenient for this --- the parents never legally marry --- the mother can get more food stamps for every baby she produces --- and as long as the babies keep coming, she never will be expected to work.