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| Economy | |
| More Americans depend on food stamps | |
| 2010-10-23 | |
| [Iran Press TV] The use of food stamps has become more common among American families as Hawaii and other US states offer the coupons to more members of the working class. Data from the US Department of Agriculture shows that 32 US states have adopted rules, which pave the way for food stamp qualification since 2007. Hawaii has gone farther than most, allowing a family to earn up to USD 59,328 per year and still get food stamps. For example, a Hawaii citizen, Lillie Gonzales does whatever it takes to provide for her three sons who live under the same roof with her. She grows her own vegetables at home on Kauai, runs her own small business and like a record 42 million other Americans, she relies on food stamps. Gonzales and her husband consistently qualify for food stamps now that Hawaii and other states are quietly expanding eligibility and offering the benefit to more working and moderate income families. Prior to an October 1 increase, the income eligibility limit for a Hawaiian family of five was USD 38,568 a year, but now it has increased to USD 59,328. "If I didn't have food stamps, I would be buying white rice and Spam every day," said Gonzales,
Eligibility for food stamps varies from state to state, with the 11 most generous states allowing families to apply if their gross income is less than double the federal poverty line of USD 22,050 for a family of four on US mainland. The threshold is higher in Alaska and Hawaii. | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 What shocks me is the exclusion of these two universal costs from the Consumer Price Index, because the prices are so "volatile". "Volatility" was the excuse used for the Feds to monkey with the definition of the CPI so they can evade the consequences of their policies. The only thing I'm shocked about is the fact that the electorate seemingly doesn't care about the Fed monkeyshines & shenanigans. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2010-10-23 18:17 |
| #4 Since I recently retired I do much of the grocery shopping for our household, both at the commissary and Safeway (where the prices are almost uniformly 80% higher than the commissary). I have watched prices across the board increase month by month, reflective I think of the decline in real value of the dollar due to anticipated inflation. Same for gas prices. What shocks me is the exclusion of these two universal costs from the Consumer Price Index, because the prices are so "volatile". I thought volatile mean fluctuating both ways, but it seems mostly up. Interestingly, absent these two necessities, the CPI seems to be reflecting no inflation. I wonder why a government drunk on borrowing and "quantitative easing" wouldn't want statistics to reflect the consequences of their policies? Yet another factor contributing to the disconnect and increasing distrust of government by the people for whome they purportedly work. |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2010-10-23 12:48 |
| #3 Data from the US Department of Agriculture shows that 32 US states have adopted rules, which pave the way for food stamp qualification since 2007. Recent legislation has raised the eligibility requirement to as much as 200% above the poverty line. So the increase in assistance can, at least to some measure, be attributed to the greater number of people that qualify. (As opposed to the obvious narrative of “depending” on assistance.) "If I didn't have food stamps, I would be buying white rice and Spam every day," said Gonzales. Fun facts to know and tell: The U.S. Department of Agriculture says average ham prices are $2.45 per pound. Their figures also show that the average price of beef hamburger per pound is $2.50. Spam is “mostly” made from Pork shoulder (plus other stuff). Now, a 12 oz. Can is about $3 bucks. What’s that…about $4.00 per pound? |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2010-10-23 12:24 |
| #2 They're really pushing the food stamps/government cheese thing where I live. There are only 300 or 400 in northern Washoe County and times are very hard. The mine/sheet rock plant laid off a bunch of people, ranching, farming, and independent mining are nearly dead (thank you BLM!), and the county has shut the only medical clinic down. But here come the food stamps people with boxes of food, and lecturers giving seminars in the seminar on how to qualify. I know my household qualifies, but I didn't go. "Why don't we go?" asked my ranch hand. "Last time you bought supplies for the ranch you used a credit card for everything. I know you're broke, and we've got to eat. It's free." "You go if you want." I told him. "It's a line T [my wife] and I just can't cross." Maybe he's right. Maybe I'm stupid. Times are really hard, and I'm so far into the debt hole I see no way out. But still. But still... |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2010-10-23 11:58 |
| #1 Transformation. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2010-10-23 11:31 |