Why Food Stamps Usage Is Up Despite Poverty Being Down

Food stamp use has increased nearly 300 percent nationwide since 2014, despite a drop in the poverty rate, according to a report released Wednesday by The Foundation for Government Accountability.

“Even though poverty rates are declining, the number of people receiving food stamps continues to climb,” the report detailed. “Food stamp spending is growing ten times as fast as federal revenues.”

According to their report – ”Restoring Work Requirements Will Help Solve the Food Stamp Crisis” — the problem results from less restrictive eligibility requirements.

The United States Department of Agriculture is the main agency in charge of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to its own findings, SNAP has increased from 17 million participants in 2000 to nearly 47 million in 2014. Concurrently, work requirements were waived in many states.

“Federal law generally limits food stamp eligibility for non-disabled childless adults to just three months out of any three-year period unless they meet specified work requirements,” the report also noted. “These work requirements have become irrelevant in recent years, however, as states have been given waivers to exempt able-bodied adults from federal work requirements.”

The Obama administration had granted working requirement waivers to 40 states and partial waivers to another six states. As a result more states are providing food stamp benefits to more adults who don’t work despite not having physical disabilities preventing them from doing so.

“By 2013, a record-high 4.9 million able-bodied, childless adults were receiving food stamps,” the report continued. “Federal spending on food stamps for able-bodied adults skyrocketed to more than $10 billion in 2013, up from just $462 million in 2000.”

The size of the program alone has prompted concern among among many lawmakers. Some on the state and federal level have tried reforming the program by getting work requirements back or adding additional eligibility requirements. In July, the administration for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sued the USDA after the agency informed the state it could not drug-test those on food stamps. Walker is currently running for the Republican nomination for president.

“The way forward for states could not be more simple or clear,” the report concluded. “Governors should decline to renew the federal waivers that have eliminated work requirements for able-bodied childless adults on food stamps.”

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Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation

Via: California Political Review

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Report: Food Stamp Use Up 300 Percent Since ’00, As Eligibility Requirements Dropped

Food stamp use has increased nearly 300 percent nationwide since 2014, despite a drop in the poverty rate, according to a report released Wednesday by The Foundation for Government Accountability.

“Even though poverty rates are declining, the number of people receiving food stamps continues to climb,” the report detailed. “Food stamp spending is growing ten times as fast as federal revenues.”

According to their report — “Restoring Work Requirements Will Help Solve the Food Stamp Crisis” — the problem results from less restrictive eligibility requirements.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the main agency in charge of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to its own findings, SNAP has increased from 17 million participants in 2000 to nearly 47 million in 2014. Concurrently, work requirements were waived in many states.

“Federal law generally limits food stamp eligibility for non-disabled childless adults to just three months out of any three-year period unless they meet specified work requirements,” the report also noted. “These work requirements have become irrelevant in recent years, however, as states have been given waivers to exempt able-bodied adults from federal work requirements.”

The Obama administration had granted working requirement waivers to 40 states and partial waivers to another six states. As a result more states are providing food stamp benefits to more adults who don’t work despite not having physical disabilities preventing them from doing so.

“By 2013, a record-high 4.9 million able-bodied, childless adults were receiving food stamps,” the report continued. “Federal spending on food stamps for able-bodied adults skyrocketed to more than $10 billion in 2013, up from just $462 million in 2000.”

The size of the program alone has prompted concern among among many lawmakers. Some on the state and federal level have tried reforming the program by getting work requirements back or adding additional eligibility requirements. In July, the administration for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sued the USDA after the agency informed the state itcould not drug-test those on food stamps. Walker is currently running for the Republican nomination for president.

“The way forward for states could not be more simple or clear,” the report concluded. “Governors should decline to renew the federal waivers that have eliminated work requirements for able-bodied childless adults on food stamps.”

Via: Daily Caller

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Food Stamp Beneficiaries Drop From 45,682,411 to 45,641,762; Still Outnumber Population of Canada

(CNSNews.com) – The number of beneficiaries of the federal government food stamp program dropped from 45,682,411 in February to 45,641,762 in March, but they still outnumber the population of Canada.

The number of beneficiaries on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dipped below 46 million for the first time in 42 months in February 2015, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The last time the number was below 46 million was in August 2011 when there were 45,794,474 beneficiaries.

Households on food stamps received an average benefit of $257.53 during the month. Total benefits for the month cost taxpayers $5,796,900,767.

While the number of individual beneficiaries declined in March, the number of households on food stamps increased, from 22,489,450 in February to 22,509,396 in March.

The decline in individual beneficiaries from February to March was 40,649. Even so, the number of beneficiaries in March outnumbers the populations of several mid-sized countries.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) World Factbook, the estimated population of Canada is 34,834,841. Kenya has an estimated population of 45,010,056, Ukraine 44,291,413, Argentina is 43,024,374, Algeria 38,813,722 and Poland 38,346,279.

Via: CNS News

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Democratic Lawmaker Says Benefit in $74 Billion Food Stamp Program is ‘Too Low’

(CNSNews.com) – The federal government food stamp program benefit is “too low,” Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) said during a House Committee on Agriculture hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. According to the Department of Agriculture, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program cost $74,137,240,000 in 2014.

“Let me say something that should be crystal clear to all of my colleagues: the SNAP benefit is too low,” McGovern said.

“It is not enough to take care of the food and nutrition needs of those on the benefit. SNAP recipients must rely on food banks and charities to have enough food for the month.”

Speaking during a hearing entitled, “Past, Present and Future of SNAP: The World of Nutrition, Government Duplication and Unmet Needs,” McGovern also took aim at food banks.

“I would like to have a discussion about how we put food banks out of business and one of the ways to do this is to make sure that those who need SNAP have an adequate benefit,” he said.

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“A lot of my frustrations over the last few years is that I think Congress has been so focused on trying to demonize the program and try to find some fault with the program, even when there’s no fault.”

McGovern asked panelists taking part in the hearing if the food stamp benefit was adequate to meet basic needs.

“I do believe that the SNAP benefit is adequate for a large number of households that are participating,” said Angela Rachidi, a research fellow in poverty studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

“For a family of four it is $650 dollars a month and that’s the maximum benefit,” she said. “We did a study in New York City where we looked at benefit redemption patterns over the month and we found that the majority of families actually did not spend down their benefit levels early in the month and still had benefits left over at the end of the month.”

Rachidi said the government’s food assistance programs were “an important part of our nation’s safety net.”

At the same time, however, “spending on food assistance programs has grown substantially over the past three decades, most dramatically in the past several years, in absolute terms as well as relative to other means-tested programs.”

Committee chairwoman Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) also voiced concern about the cost of the program and overlap of food nutrition programs.

“According to GAO, there are at least 18 different nutrition assistance programs, and together they spend over $100 billion annually of taxpayer funds,” she said. “While SNAP accounts for three out of four dollars of that today, it’s not alone in providing nutrition assistance.”

“The reality is that a majority of SNAP households are also eligible and receive benefits from one of the other major nutrition assistance programs,” Walorski added. “In some cases, multiple programs might be funding the same meals. For example, recipients may receive USDA commodity food packages through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, while also receiving SNAP benefits.”

“Our job today is to figure out where overlap, duplication, or inefficiency exists,” Walorski said. “Then, we can more expertly target our limited resources to places with potential unmet needs or weaknesses in the system.”

Via: CNS News

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Kansas could lose millions for limiting welfare recipients to $25 at ATMs BY LINDSAY WISE AND DION LEFLER

WASHINGTON — A first-of-its-kind provision that prevents welfare recipients in Kansas from withdrawing more than $25 a day from an ATM might violate federal law, and could jeopardize the state’s federal funding if not amended.

The Social Security Act requires states to ensure that recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, “have adequate access to their cash assistance” and can withdraw money “with minimal fees or charges.”

At stake is about $102 million in TANF block grant funds that Kansas receives every year from the federal government.

The state’s controversial ATM limit was added as an amendment to a welfare overhaul bill signed in April by Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. The new law also bars welfare recipients from spending their benefit money at certain places, including movie theaters, massage parlors, cruise ships and swimming pools. It also sets stricter eligibility requirements and shortened the amount of time people can receive assistance.

Brownback said in an interview on Friday that he is aware of the possible conflict with federal statutes and that the affected state agencies in his administration are working to fix it.

The governor said he’s open to raising the limit if necessary to comply with federal policies.

“We’ll work with them; it’s a joint program,” Brownback said. “We’ll do what we have to do to work with the federal partnership.”

Via: McClatchey

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Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2015/05/17/266888/kansas-could-lose-millions-for.html#storylink=cpy

Soon You Might Be Able To Receive Food Stamps Over The Phone

Soon it could be possible to apply for food stamps over the phone, with proponents arguing that in-person interviews add too much extra administrative cost.

A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) looked at whether it should get rid of in-person interviews for those who apply to receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is commonly known as food stamps. The program is the nation’s largest food-assistance program.

“Regulations require that states conduct face-to-face interviews, unless the state determines that a telephone interview is acceptable due to a hardship on the client,” the report details. “However, over the last decade, most states applied for and received waivers that allow for telephone interviews in all cases, without the need to document a hardship.”

Noting the time requirements and the administration costs, the USDA with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) conducted a limited real-world test to see if the in-person interviews are needed.

Via: Daily Caller

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Most Americans Want Tougher Food-Stamp Requirements

If the predicted removal of that many people failed to change minds, it's because the public thinks many beneficiaries don't deserve the benefits they record. Asked what the biggest problem with food stamps was, 66 percent of people said there was "too much waste, fraud, and abuse"—by far the most popular of the five options listed.

Another 12 percent said too many people were eligible to receive assistance.

Only 6 percent of respondents said too few were on the program, while 9 percent said the benefits were too small.

National Journal poll showing almost all parties in support of new rules for the nation's food-stamp program; however, Democrats' views are split down the middle. (Stephanie Stamm)Driven by a strong sense the food-stamp program is rife with abuse, two-thirds of Americans say they want to make it harder for people to receive assistance by requiring recipients to be drug-free and looking for work.

A National Journal poll found broad support for tightened eligibility. Even Democrats, traditionally resistant to limiting access to social-welfare programs, are split: 45 percent of them support the change while 49 percent do not.

The results suggest that the country welcomes Republican efforts to cut and reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a rarity for a party at odds with public opinion on issues like gun control, entitlement reform, and immigration. Democrats' opposition, meanwhile, shows they're squarely out of step with the public.

Respondents were asked how they felt about changes to the food-stamp program like tightening eligibility, limiting how long beneficiaries can collect, increasing work requirements, and administering drug tests. They were told the Congressional Budget Office estimated such changes would reduce its rolls by 4 million people.

Via: National Journal

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[VIDEO] Rep. McDermott (D-Wash): Jesus 'Didn't Charge Food Stamps'

(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) said on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” Wednesday that when Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, “he didn’t charge food stamps.”

“When Jesus had those five loaves and two fishes, he didn't charge food stamps. He didn't ask anybody how much money they had. He fed them because they were hungry, and that's really where we ought to be,” McDermott said in response to Republican critics of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

In September, the House approved a plan by Republicans to cut $39 billion in food stamps over the next 10 years. In 2009, there were 33,489,975 people on food stamps. As of Nov. 8, 2013, a total of 47,666,124 people participated in the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

“Congressman, what do your Republican congressman say to you when you tell them how much their policies are really hurting real people, real poor people?” Rev. Al Sharpton, host of “PoliticsNation,” asked McDermott.

Via: CNS News

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California Republicans in Congress show stark divisions

WASHINGTON — California's congressional delegation has long been known for its inability to get along. But Golden State Republicans aren't just on the opposite side of issues from Democrats. Lately, they've been at odds among themselves.

The divisions were on display when the state's 15 Republicans split almost evenly on a vote to end the government shutdown and extend the nation's borrowing authority. All 38 Democrats, in contrast, stuck together in support of the measure.

The Republicans also split on roll calls this year to cut the food stamp program, provide Superstorm Sandy relief, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and end a program that promotes U.S. agricultural products abroad. No California Democrats broke ranks.

The GOP differences have been stark on immigration.

While Republican Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock and David Valadao of Hanford joined Democrats in support of legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants in the country illegally, some of their California GOP colleagues vehemently oppose what they regard as amnesty for lawbreakers. Others are open to granting legal status to some immigrants but oppose a path to citizenship.

It's no surprise to find divisions within the largest state delegation in Congress, given its size, regional differences on issues such as farm policy, and the political vulnerability of some of its members.

Via: LA Times

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WHITE HOUSE SLAM GOP'S FOOD STAMP REFORMS IN THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama's White House politicized Thanksgiving to promote the reauthorization of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) or "food stamps" as part of the farm bill at a time when a record number of Americans are receiving assistance. 

In an email, the White House urged Americans sitting down for Thanksgiving Dinner to remember: "For decades, Congress has authorized SNAP in a bipartisan fashion through the Farm Bill. They don't have to do it in a way that hurts children, seniors, veterans, and vulnerable families. Learn more, and pass it on."

The White House linked to a report about how SNAP is boosting the economy and accused Republicans of undermining the program's reauthorization. 

Congress could not agree on a bipartisan farm bill because Democrats would not agree to make reforms to SNAP. Robert Rector, the godfather of the landmark welfare reform bill in the 1990s, has suggested the food stamp program be reformed by moving the program from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Health and Human Services, because "the food stamp program is a means-tested welfare or anti-poverty program, not an agricultural program," and "the USDA’s expertise is in farming, not welfare."

He has also recommended means-testing, anti-fraud measures, drug testing, and converting the program to a "work activation" program while ensuring benefits do not go to illegal immigrants. 

As Breitbart News has reported, food stamp enrollments "have remained over 47 million for an unprecedented 13 consecutive months." And that number has indeed benefited a certain sector of the economy. As the nonpartisan Government Accountability Institute (GAI) discovered, corporations are also incentivized to pressure the government to maximize the number of people on food stamps because of the profits companies like J.P. Morgan make from EBT card transaction fees. 

The program also has been riddled with fraud, and those with EBT cards have often offered to sell them for cash on social media sites like Twitter. 

Via: Breitbart

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