Food stamp payments could stop with Oct. 1 government shutdown
Source: AL.com (Alabama)
Millions of people who rely on assistance programs to purchase food could see their benefits diminish or stop if the federal government shuts down Oct. 1.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that unless Congress passes funding measures to keep government agencies open, funding for 46 million Americans that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or more commonly, food stamps, will not be available.
"If Congress does not act to avert a lapse in appropriations, then USDA will not have the funding necessary for SNAP benefits in October and will be forced to stop providing benefits within the first several days of October," Catherine Cochran, a spokeswoman for USDA, said. "Once that occurs, families won't be able to use these benefits at grocery stores to buy the food their families need."
Even if the funding is approved in a last-minute agreement, USDA officials said there could be a delay in sending out SNAP payments while the appropriations are transferred.
Read more: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/09/food_stamp_payments_could_stop.html#incart_most-commented_news_article
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)This doesn't make any sense.
MissB
(15,800 posts)from the Feds.
LiberalArkie
(15,686 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)The money comes from the feds. Another program that will have likely programs is Medicaid. The state does put some money into Medicaid but most of it comes from the feds.
MissB
(15,800 posts)Simply put, Congress shouldn't delay funding for food stamps. What a disgrace that will be if funding is delayed.
cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)Well other than if they are in the military because ya know they gotta protect their most important voter base.
Warpy
(110,910 posts)I suppose my donation to the local food bank will be early as well as generous.
I hope all the morons out there are paying attention and I sincerely hope they're all greatly inconvenienced by these grandstanding Republican bully boys.
Maybe then we'll clean House (and Senate) and get rid of the useless bastards.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)the Republicans gained Seats in the House and took back the Senate in the next election.
Warpy
(110,910 posts)and Democrats just didn't get out to vote for more business as usual.
Shutting down the government is not popular.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)after the shutdown when exactly the opposite happened. And yes, I blame the Democrats and gerrymandering for that. Can't do much about the gerrymandering since the Supreme Court long ago said it was OK (ignoring the Constitution) but the Democrats running Republican-Lite in district after district and supporting just a few chosen candidates (who mostly lost) and starving the remaining candidates for funds/resources deserve a whole lot of the blame.
But apparently, they didn't learn a thing. DWS still has her job and they're putting everything they have into Hillary and Biden -- both corporate shills for the .01%.
Warpy
(110,910 posts)but the prospect of President Trump should scare Democrats back to the polls in 2016, only to lose Congress again in 2018 because Conservative Central will again campaign on the business as usual that's killing us.
The point is that shutdowns are not popular with either party. However, as long as Democrats run such anemic, dispirited campaigns that offer the electorate nothing but more of the same economic system that is destroying this country, they will continue to lose midterms despite the shutdowns.
2016 is not a midterm.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)2016 will see the Democrats losing the WH and the Republicans will have a trifecta.
Warpy
(110,910 posts)The coronation is no longer assured.
We might get Biden if he decides to run, but I sincerely doubt Clinton has a chance.
freebrew
(1,917 posts)Skittles
(152,964 posts)I like the pamphlets they send me, with testimonials from real people in my community, grateful for the assistance - older folk, single parents, families going through temporary hard times caused by a medical malady or job loss - their stories never fail to touch me - repuke trolls, that is what empathy feels like
CTyankee
(63,771 posts)I feel it is good to give to folks for their daily bread...if that is what it comes down to...
Skittles
(152,964 posts)via snail mail, no less
I have done the actual food item donations during food bank drives at work, when they set up boxes at various locations
Warpy
(110,910 posts)so that now that I can give, I do.
Nothing hurts worse than hunger.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)however, I know how things can happen.....and that they can happen to anyone
oh yes, and the idea somone would trash one of those folk in line at the supermarket via snap judgement, that is just plain sickening
Faux pas
(14,582 posts)happy is when everyone else is miserable. Pretty psycho if you ask me.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,539 posts)http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/09/22/government-shutdown-could-cut-off-food-stamps
Now they're not only holding employees of the federal government hostage, they've added women and children, too!
I keep imagining the Repugs sitting around jerking off to that bogus PP "sting video." It reminds me of "The American President" where Senator Bob Rumson reacts to an old photo of Sydney Ellen Wade at a protest where an American flag was being burned: "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."
WhiteHat
(129 posts)The GOP hates the poor. Starve the poor women and children. That's the plan.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)For doing nothing, as usual?
davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)I wish I could say it had been prepared for. Local food pantries and soup kitchens will struggle, up here. I used to work for a convenience store in a small town nearby - not long ago, they stopped accepting food stamps. They did this because the State was going to start charging for the use of the machines that ran the EBT cards. It was something like fifty bucks a month - for the little store there, more than they would profit through accepting EBT cards, thus, losing the store money. I'm sure it happened at a few others too (this is in Northern Maine).
So the people in that town and surrounding area that have to use these cards have had to drive further (or walk, if they can't drive) - about 8-10 (for some as many as 15-20) miles further. I knew one man in particular who made the walk a few times a week, 12 miles there, 12 miles back.
Without the EBT card, I don't think he would have been able to eat. Perhaps enough locals would have banded together to help... but pride is a big thing up here, I'm not sure if he would have asked for it.
People could really go hungry because of this - people could starve. Once the local charitable organizations are overwhelmed, it will come down to community efforts... and probably theft.
We need to get this message out - that when people on the EBT program go hungry - when children feel those hunger pains... it's because a bunch of fucking assholes in congress are holding them hostage for the sake of politics. These particular assholes will still be eating well, they will still be paid well, they will still have some of the best benefits anywhere on earth.
This can't be allowed to happen.
I'm so god damned sick of this shit. I don't care what party you're from or what politics or philosophies you believe in - there should be none - none at all - that say it is okay to let impoverished, struggling people starve. It could just as easily be any one of us.
Maybe they'll force this fight on us, in any event... let's make sure we remind the American people - particularly republican voters - who is responsible for the suffering.
One thing I'm wondering - is there a way that we can contribute our personal assets or income to the food stamp program? Can we send a check somewhere or something? It would be pretty damned big if the American people overcame this bull shit move by congress by funding it through personal contributions.