Thousands in Ohio will lose food stamp benefits under new rules

[Ohiogal]

The cruelty of this just astounds me.

COLUMBUS — Thousands of impoverished Ohioans without dependents will lose their food stamp benefits as federal officials tighten work requirements on some able-bodied adults.

The change was announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at the direction of President Donald Trump, in a bid to make Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits “assistance through difficult times, not a way of life.” The program feeds more than 36 million people.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the rule will help move people “from welfare to work.”

“We want to encourage people by giving them a helping hand, but not an infinitely giving hand,” he said.

Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, criticized the move.

“It’s going to be catastrophic,” she said.

(snip)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, blasted the change. “I don’t understand the mean spiritedness of these billionaires in the White House and in the cabinet,” he said.

“The fact is what they don’t know, because I’m guessing they don’t know any food stamps beneficiaries, is that most people who get food stamps in this country already have jobs,” he added. “They’re making $9 and $10 an hour because employers are not paying them livable wages and they’re eligible for food stamps as a result.”

More:

https://www.the-daily-record.com/news/20191204/thousands-of-ohioans-to-lose-food-stamps

[Newest Reality]

1. Of course...

Perdue is even using rather dated rhetoric in an attempt to equate assistance with food with income and general welfare. But of course, Sonny Perdue is another one of Trumps Decepticons who was put there to destroy what he oversees, not manage it correctly or expand the help provided as the need is increasing. So, it's two prong. Cut the amount spent on SNAP and assure that much needed increases in amounts payed out to cover groceries, (food prices are going up all the time) are not even considered.

There is no evidence that SNAP discourages work and there is no cash payment involved. In fact, needed toiletries and other essential items are not eligible.

In my mind SNAP has nothing to do with encouraging or discouraging work and so, using that old Conservative line is an insult and, as stated, merely mean spirited. You could even say it is a big slap in the face to people in need and a very bad sign of how our country cares for the neediest and weakest among us.

And again, most of us know that about half the recipients are children, many are seniors who need food assistance badly, and another chunk are hard working people who can't make enough to cover all their expenses and who then suffer hunger and even malnutrition in the process. Oh, and their children, in their crucial, developmental phases are also then deprived of a healthy diet on a regular basis.

Perdue can go...well, you know. Sycophantic pestilence incarnate!

[Ohiogal]

2. They can take their

“encouraging the dignity of work” and shove it up their ass!

What’s so dignified about working at a job that won’t even feed a family?

And ... just to twist the dagger.... there’s this:

“Advocates for the poor fear other food stamp changes being studied by federal authorities would have an even larger impact on the 1.7 million Ohioans who are considered “food insecure.”

For example, a proposed change in how household utility expenses are calculated in determining food stamp eligibility would result in reduced benefits for 41% of Ohio’s 664,000 households receiving SNAP benefits, according to the Center for Community Solutions.

The average recipient, including households with children and the elderly, would lose $45 or 36% of their monthly $126 assistance to purchase food, the group said.”

So, they think the poor are living a life of luxury on $126 a month for food?? “ Let’s chop that by $45! That will make them get off their lazy asses!”

It makes my head hurt.

[Newest Reality]

3. I am with you on that!

I feel incensed by it also. I appreciate your comments and your points are well taken and apropos.

They can put that, (and Sonny Perdue) where the Sun don't shine, as they used to say.

It's completely absurd, ridiculous and cruel rather than having anything at all to do with dignity. Those jokers. Being hungry and starving is undignified, but they wouldn't even know what hunger feels like I bet.

Ah, this country is swimming in great wealth and we are going to try to cut corners by taking food away? That's unacceptable.

What are they going to say when there is massive unemployment in the next decade or so as automation and AI sheer away many jobs? Robots are dignity, so let them work and accept your fate?

[marble falls]

4. A friend who is seriously disabled makes just over $800/month SS, pays almost $600/mounth ...

for rent in public housing and get $26/month in food stamps in Ohio. He doesn't dare leave the county because he'd have to start up the process to get medical coverage all over again, and he won't get Medicare until he's 65.

There is no way at 62 anyone will hire him and hardly anyway he could work, let alone he barely keeps his junker running and insured.

Its almost like someone wants him to give up and crawl into his grave. I expect to get a bad phone call from another friend at some point.

[Ohiogal]

5. Yet we have money for forever wars,

Corporate welfare, zero federal taxes for many huge corporations and billionaires, trump’s golf vacations, etc. Nothing ever changes.

[marble falls]

6. Everything is upside down.