(SF) Bay Area food stamp enrollment skyrockets

[El Pinko]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_8910936

Bay Area food stamp enrollment skyrockets

Federal entitlement applications rising rapidly as times get hard, prices go up
By Sara Steffens, STAFF WRITER
Article Created: 04/13/2008 03:12:00 AM PDT

Struggling with rising prices and a stalled economy, a growing number of Bay Area families are turning to food stamps. Here, as across the nation, enrollment in the federal entitlement program has jumped significantly in the past year.
Last year, Alameda County approved 9.6 percent more applications for food stamps than in 2006. And in the last six months of last year — from July to December — applications were up 13 percent, compared with the same period in 2006.
In January alone, the county approved 1,743 applications — 3 percent more than during the same month in 2007.
In 2007, Contra Costa County approved 18 percent more applications for food stamps than in 2006. In January alone, the county approved 1,105 applications —



God only knows, when I was living in SF, I could have used food stamps. I was in the red every month for years. But with my $24K income (more than half of which was eaten up by rent on our squalid 2 BR basement non-code apartment), I was "too rich" to qualify for food stamps, even with 2 kids. If people in the hinterlands, where rents and homes are still cheap, knew how tough it is for working people in the metro areas near the coasts, I wonder if they would vote any differently?

[sandnsea]

1. The benefits are set by law

People are entitled to a certain benefit based on income. It isn't discretionary. Congress can't change the entitlement, it has to be funded. That's why food stamps is an entitlement, even if everybody isn't qualified to get them.

[El Pinko]

2. I thought only SS and Medicare were entitlements, because we pay into them...

...and thus are entitled to the benefits, whereas food stamps are a welfare program.

Is that incorrect?

[Breeze54]

3. Everyone is entitled to eat.... so yes is the FSP.

Although the RW doesn't think so. :grr:

[El Pinko]

5. That's an ideological argument, one that I don't disagree with...

...but I'm talking about the technical distiction in government parlance between actual entitlement programs and other health-welfare programs.


Social Security is not called an entitlement because "old people shouldn't be allowed to starve". It's defined as an entitlement because it is paid for by a fund that we all pay into and are entitled to payment because of those contributions.

[Breeze54]

7. I think it's a fact.

;)

[sandnsea]

8. That's not what makes an entitlement

It is federally mandated that everyone is equally entitled to the food stamp benefit. We don't have some states helping to feed people and others letting people starve. Every citizen is equally entitled to the food stamp benefit, by law.

[Breeze54]

4. 10 Facts You Should Know About the Food Stamp Program

10 Facts You Should Know About the Food Stamp Program

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/Translations/English/10facts.htm

USDA - Food and Nutrition

Fact: The Food Stamp Program is not a welfare program. It is a nutrition assistance program
designed to help low-income individuals and families buy and consume nutritious foods.

Fact: The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program. In other words, everyone who applies
and who is determined to be eligible will get food stamp benefits.

Fact: Food stamps are for eligible individuals and families, including the elderly, disabled,
working households, certain legal immigrants and their U.S. born children

Fact: Individuals can own or buy a home and still get food stamps. The home and its lot are not
counted as a resource in the Food Stamp Program. The Food Stamp Program does not require a person
to sign away their home.

Fact: In 2000, elderly people who lived alone received an average of $44 a month; and, elderly
people not living alone received an average benefit of $116 a month.

Fact: If an elderly or disabled person is not able to go to the food stamp office, he or she may
request a telephone interview. The person may also ask a relative, pastor, neighbor, etc., to
attend the interview as an authorized representative. Applicants for and recipients of SSI may
also apply for food stamp benefits at the Social Security Office.

Fact: Medical expenses that exceed $35 a month may be deducted from the total of household income
unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. The amount
over $35 can be deducted.

Fact: The resources limit for households containing an elderly or disabled person is up to $3,000.
The resource limit for all other households is up to $2,000.

Fact: Households can receive food stamps and still get Meals-on-Wheels, Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, and Child Nutrition benefits such as the
School Lunch Program.

Fact: Receiving Food Stamp Program benefits will not make a household containing legal immigrants
a Public Charge.

[El Pinko]

6. Thanks for that info.

It's sad that a family has to be absolutely destitute - basically living on minimum wage - to qualify.

[LeftyMom]

10. No, it means they're obligated to serve everybody who applies and qualifies.

Unlike WIC or Housing Choice (Section 8,) for example, who can turn away applicants who meet the program guidelines if funding runs low.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Keep an eye on these stories

they are markers to hunger and possibly, even, food riots

[kineneb]

11. I applied for FS

I officially have no income, since Hubby died. I am awaiting the letter from social services that reinstates my medical coverage and whether I get FS. There is no other assistance available for me.

Widows get a one-time payment of $255 as death benefit. $255...that is it. And I was a full-time caregiver (probably saved the gov. tons of money on the care end...).

[alittlelark]

12. That is so sad... I don't even know what to say.

:hug:

[Breeze54]

13. My condolences at the loss of your husband. I'm so sorry.

This has to be a very difficult time for you. :(

Can you work at all? Maybe as a nurses aid? I hope something $$
wise improves for you asap! I just got my health care approved.
I waited a long time too, it seemed.