Food stamps are disbursed at higher allotment than what I spend per month for groceries

This taxpayer is finding it more expensive to provide food for myself and my son each month. We don't eat out, take our lunches to work. So it is the grocery store where we get our food to eat. I don't buy expensive cuts of meat, expensive fresh vegetables, in other words, I buy wisely with what money we have. Most months for the two of us we have around $200 for the month.
I just looked at the SNAP website for food stamps ( www.fns.usda.gov...) and this is what they provide a month, which from this it appears a 2 person household receives $334!
"An individual household's SNAP allotment is equal to the maximum allotment for that household's size, less 30 percent of the household's net income. Households with no countable income receive the maximum allotment ($668 per month in Fiscal Year 2010 for a household of four people). Allotment levels are higher for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, reflecting higher food prices in those areas."

I know some people getting like 650 bucks on their LINK cards...gheezsh wish I could apply for it! They can really buy anything they want with it...I don't think there are many restrictions.

It's ridiculous. Where i was a few months ago, the recipients of "food stamps" got a credit card, which could be used anywhere. Several people used it in the bar that i owned!!!

I was at my local gas station (turkey hill) and these two 400lb "ladies" in their best stained sweatpants blew my mind. Each were carrying over a DOZEN half gallons of ice cream. my first though to say was, "i don't think y'all need anymore ice cream" but i didn't.

Then, in line, i heard on remark to the other, " i hope we have enough food stamps for this"

I almost lost it (see my avatar for clarification)

Food stamps should say what they are for. A bread stamp, a cheese stamp, a produce stamp, a meat stamp and NO ICE CREAM STAMPS

reply to post by BadBoYeed

they can use it in casinos! I just saw a report on CNN that said how much money is doled out from ATMs to LINK type cards..I definitely don't think you can eat those "chips" right!

I assume you don't live in the inner city. Major chains will not open stores in certain areas. This only leaves small convience type stores with high prices - sometimes double the big discount stores.

Also, if you are getting by with $100.00 per person - you are probably couponing and rebating. Something difficult to do without a newpaper or computer.

reply to post by Neopan100


it's such a major flaw in the system. And we wonder why the country is in debt (well, not so much wonder)

Food prices will soon soar, and food stamps may not be able to keep up. Besides, the calculations involved to get food stamps put a lot of people out who are in an area where they make too much to qualify, yet not make enough to supply food for the family. Time for rice and beans or start a garden (I would start one anyway)...mmmmm rice and beans.

Guam is a part of America?

I can buy for 50 cents on the dollar just about any time and towards the end of the month it's 25 cents. They won't screw ya because they you to buy next month. I spend them at a friends meat market and keep the freezer full. I figure it's a tax rebate.

It doesn't pay to work anymore.

The Food Stamp Program subsidizes DOD on Guam. Want to work for a Federal Contractor for DOD on Guam? You'll only make $7-11 an hour. Your big money is made from Food Stamps..your DOD Federal Contractor pay only pays for your booze.

If they ended the silly amounts for Food Stamps...DOD would have to start paying higher wages to the people of Guam....they can't afford that.

Federal Contract worker working for DOD in Hawaii makes $35 an hour PLUS $22 an hour in "Fringe Benefits"....

Guam's been sucked dry propping up the "HomeLand". Food Stamp Program Abuse is all that's prevented riots and mutiny in "the Land where America's Day Begins". Doesn't pay to work there. DOD likes saving their money...using the Food Stamp program to subsidize DOD.

Sorry that you are unable to qualify for the Food Stamp Program, OP and that you feel that it is unfair...I too feel it is unfair that some of the people receiving state help for food do not deserve and agree that the system is major flawed.
But, everybody has a story...and those that qualify more than likely are still not able to buy the food they SHOULD be eating.

Let me give you an example off the top of my head: A food stamp recipient middle aged, cancer, diabetic, or may have some other medical/food allergies is given the minimum $200 (sometimes it might be $20 or $30 less depending on their assessed situation) is expected to eat for the month off this amount. Their income, by the possible medical problems would be more than likely SSI/SSD which would not be much more than $600-$700 per month with a rent payment of say $650...leaving this person $50 a month for utilities and cash for toilet paper or any other necessities that are not covered by food stamps (food cards). What should that person do? They would make the best of what they could of that measley $200 to eat...yet they will not be able to eat the food they should...The food that would keep them healthy and possibly help to heal them.

Organic, non GMO'd foods, non processed foods, etc....all impossible for this person to afford.

So, yes the system is quite flawed...but it is those greedy ice cream sucking gluttons and their ilk, described by other members that ruin it for those that are truly in need. On the off chance the state does look for those "milking" the system, for whatever reason...it will be the ones that really need the help that will be denied or cut off from what is needed.

I live in NY state. I receive $200 a month in foodstamps. It is not enough to eat healthy. Even eating a lot of low-budget nutritionally void food, I still have to supplement by visiting food pantries for donations. Lack of proper nutrition over the last several years put me in the hospital last month, to the tune of over ten thousand dollars, that I have no way of paying. So I will be sued while the taxpayers are left to eat the cost, not only for the medical bill, but to process the vain attempt at collection as well. Unless of course I can get that welfare medical, which I am trying to do now, but I have no way to get to the welfare office. Ah, the catch 22's of poverty.

reply to post by Holly N.R.A.


I have never applied for stamps as I was taught to make do with what you have. Yes, there are truly those who need the assistance.
I work in an environment that allows me to see what the food stamp recipients are able to do since they don't have to buy groceries..that is...expensive cell phones, pedicures, manicures, etc.
I know it is a useless rant as the government workers who should be investigating the recipients are not doing the job.
It is a tired argument that will never be resolved unfortunately.
I just felt a rant coming on and used ATS for that!

Originally posted by BadBoYeed
It's ridiculous. Where i was a few months ago, the recipients of "food stamps" got a credit card, which could be used anywhere. Several people used it in the bar that i owned!!!

Foodstamps cannot be used at a bar, or even at a restaurant. Though some people who are on foodstamps, do receive a monthly cash benefit allowance if they qualify. The cash benefit is an "emergency" benefit, not a lifetime allotment, and must be repaid.

I was at my local gas station (turkey hill) and these two 400lb "ladies" in their best stained sweatpants blew my mind. Each were carrying over a DOZEN half gallons of ice cream. my first though to say was, "i don't think y'all need anymore ice cream" but i didn't.

The government makes no distinction between what is "healthy" and what is not. And therefore has no way of limiting the recipients food choices at the supermarket. Now to us, buying gallons of ice cream might be a no-brainer. But let's have a closer look at what is actually happening in the supermarkets...

Let’s look at some foods that you might think are good for you. A box of cereal perhaps? Not some kid cereal, like Cocoa Pebbles say, that we know is not really that good for us. How about some Quaker 100% Natural Granola, Oats, Honey & Raisins? That’s sounds healthy. All those things are known to be good for us, the oats the raisins and so forth. And heck, 100% natural too! Must be good for us, right? Well, it was actually found to be the worst cereal in the supermarket that you could buy. It has twice as much sugar as the Cocoa Pebbles, and those pebbles have less fat and more fiber than the cereal that most people would think was actually good for them. marselusvanwagner.blogspot.com...

reply to post by BadBoYeed


Banks like JP Morgan control Food Stamps now, not the government. And those banks make huge profits from them. They created poverty, just in the last few years alone, in order to profit from it.

reply to post by sharintexas


About 50% more people in need just this year alone. These are all folks who never imagined for a second that they would have to resort to food stamps to feed their children. Many of them working families as well. Or at least, were working families.

And just because someone has their nails done, or isn't dressed like they just climbed out of a dumpster, doesn't mean that they don't have a very real need for Foodstamps.

reply to post by StigShen


No they shouldn't be getting their nails done...I can't afford to get my nails done. You must be trying to antagonize me, hmmmmm.

Single mother... three kids ...... ... ... are you ready for this!!
I make less than 30,000 a year - I do NOT receive any extra income or child support...
Food stamp allotment = ZERO
Yes you read that right... apparently I make 20$ more than allowed per week (because I push for overtime to try to make ends meet to pay the bills)
I wish I did understand the system... but I will survive (and TopRamen is not so bad) hehehe

Originally posted by StigShen
reply to post by sharintexas

 

About 50% more people in need just this year alone. These are all folks who never imagined for a second that they would have to resort to food stamps to feed their children. Many of them working families as well. Or at least, were working families.

And just because someone has their nails done, or isn't dressed like they just climbed out of a dumpster, doesn't mean that they don't have a very real need for Foodstamps.

The rich keep getting richer, while the sleepers keep on snoozin'.

Sadly most that thought they would never need food stamps, (upper middle class) are finding out they're no different than the rest of us. (unemployed/making less than $25,000 a year and still raising a family) and the fall was not as far as they thought.

According to one of the links I read that mentioned Codex Alimentaris it appears it has quietly been implemented and everybody is too complacent to do/say anything about it, no matter how many of us give them information about it.
...as for nails, and dressing ujp, keeping the hair done...that is a matter of personal choice...if someone can justify the expenditure and feel good about themselves doing so...who are we to judge?...it is their choice. They will learn as we all do.

Just give em rice, water's free...

chicken wire, hefty bag roof and some fire wood

I seen a person carrying two hot dogs after they had pizza the night before and I was like what the hell is wrong with my country?

I can grub on Top Rayman and some Alpo three for two bucks, $60 a month for three!