what do you think about the reduction in the snap progam/food stamps

[CharmedPhoenix]

Wow, so many thoughts...

Yes, the 2009 incentive expired and that cut all our SNAP benefits.

I don't know about other states, but NM is reorganizing things and going paperless.  Will that mean more cuts?  Not sure.  We'll be able to apply online - that's good.

I'm on SNAP, it's my only source of groceries.  I do use coupons, but I'm trying to eat healthy and natural so it's of limited help since most coupons are for unhealthy processed, name-brand foods.

I would gladly take a drug test to qualify, but I don't have a car.  It would also cost them a lot to run such a program and they're already stretched.  My local office has become a "satellite" office.

The system is broken.  They only consider rent and utilities vs. income.  They don't consider car expenses.  I live in a small town in a rural county with no mass transit.  I did caregiver and distribution work, which necessitated having my own car, but they did't look at that.  My car died, that cost me my job.  Now I don't have a car or a job. 

There is no help to get basic human necessities such as toiletries or essential household paper goods like toilet paper, but as one post pointed out, we can spend our whole allotment on junk food.  Yet we can't buy hot deli food, only cold day-old deli food.  I guess they think that poor, struggling people don't need a quick, easy, hot meal after a long day of job hunting or jumping through hoops to make ends meet.

They used to require a job search, but they don't consider self-employment.  I understand some states are actually helpful to people working to be self-employed, but not NM.  I have arthritis, mental health issues and no car so my best bet is using my creative skills and my computer to create my own income, but they don't consider that.  They seem to think one size fits all.

Today a computer and internet access is essential.  Our phone company has a low-income program for DSL, but only for new users.  I found this out by accident.  Human Services did not inform me of this or I would have done it.  Setting up an online business and freelancing online requires a good, DSL connection, but they don't consider the expense or even inform us of the available assistance.  Even job hunting today requires online applications and networking.

I don't know how to fix this, but it's not working right as it is. 

[tuyetmai]

I feel the same way.  It a lot of people who suffer on this budget cut, I don't know that I agree with this reduction as well.  Because there are those who really need it to survive.  Hope those who really don't truly need it realize it.

[tkfarris]

I think it will help weed out the ones who are abusing the system but I feel terrible for the ones that truly need it. I know a lady who is old retired and is disabled.  she says that she only got 30 dollars this month. with her being on a really strict budget she has only eaten one meal a day for quite a while well plus a small snack she says she just will eat one meal a day  and just half  of that and save the other half for tomorrow.  she doesn't have any family to help her out.

   well i cannot say that my foodstamps went up im glade just enough so far .

[shunntwo]

Its interesting that the government felt comfortable going after food stamps.  Welfare has been reformed enough.  Helping people eat is basic humanity.  AFDC was a nightmare and easily abused because of psych patients who were not being adequately cared for.  I don't think anyone really limits themselves to the system.  To deal with all the bureaucracy associated with public assistance usually indicates there is some extreme need.  The freedom associated with not dealing with the system unless you work in it (like I have) is a luxury no one would really give up without reluctance.  I mean get real.  Knowing enough as a novice about taxes as an annual trip I hate to go on, but would rather not be in trouble over.  That is as close to submitting to the system as I need to be, ever, believe that.

[sak4kat]

Wow, so many thoughts...

Yes, the 2009 incentive expired and that cut all our SNAP benefits.

I don't know about other states, but NM is reorganizing things and going paperless.  Will that mean more cuts?  Not sure.  We'll be able to apply online - that's good.

I'm on SNAP, it's my only source of groceries.  I do use coupons, but I'm trying to eat healthy and natural so it's of limited help since most coupons are for unhealthy processed, name-brand foods.

I would gladly take a drug test to qualify, but I don't have a car.  It would also cost them a lot to run such a program and they're already stretched.  My local office has become a "satellite" office.

The system is broken.  They only consider rent and utilities vs. income.  They don't consider car expenses.  I live in a small town in a rural county with no mass transit.  I did caregiver and distribution work, which necessitated having my own car, but they did't look at that.  My car died, that cost me my job.  Now I don't have a car or a job. 

There is no help to get basic human necessities such as toiletries or essential household paper goods like toilet paper, but as one post pointed out, we can spend our whole allotment on junk food.  Yet we can't buy hot deli food, only cold day-old deli food.  I guess they think that poor, struggling people don't need a quick, easy, hot meal after a long day of job hunting or jumping through hoops to make ends meet.

They used to require a job search, but they don't consider self-employment.  I understand some states are actually helpful to people working to be self-employed, but not NM.  I have arthritis, mental health issues and no car so my best bet is using my creative skills and my computer to create my own income, but they don't consider that.  They seem to think one size fits all.

Today a computer and internet access is essential.  Our phone company has a low-income program for DSL, but only for new users.  I found this out by accident.  Human Services did not inform me of this or I would have done it.  Setting up an online business and freelancing online requires a good, DSL connection, but they don't consider the expense or even inform us of the available assistance.  Even job hunting today requires online applications and networking.

I don't know how to fix this, but it's not working right as it is. 

I hope you someday return to this thread.  I recently came across a service called FreedomPop.  Although I've not utilized it - it may be something worth looking into for you.  Phone service is offered through safelink - it's a simple feature phone.  When in an emergency it's better than nothing though. 

[moonangel]

and the cuts just keep coming social security, insurance, taxes, etc  I guess the ones in charge have lost their minds .  how in the f&%$ do they think we have enough money to do all this they are taking it all away.  I have worked hard all my life ten years or so from retirement they took away most of my accrued pernsion and put it in the stock market and we all know how well that's been going!

[nannycoe1]

The system is very hard to qualify for because I went with my mother who lives on SS and is 80 years old to try and get some help, well she got $16.00 a month food stamps. But all these illegal's get  300 or 400 hundred a month plus free healthcare and they all drive new cars and have Iphones. Makes me sick

[rainman306]

I don't know much about the reduction or really even the program itself -- but I do know a few people who have been on or are even still on it.

The problem is really false people being on it who do not at all new the program, so I do feel bad for the people who really need it and think the reducion is thus a bad idea.  Further, with all the wasteful government spending is this really where they need to target for spending cuts.

[Beckys0528]

Hopefully it does catch the ones that are abusing it but that is really bad for the ones that really need it. It isn't really that much to begin with but every little bit helps. So sorry for the legit members..

[crisstar]

The entire system needs to be overhauled!

Too bad for those people who really need it. I think there are far more people who are abusing it than really need it. There are all kind of ways to earn money. I see mentally disabled adults working in retail and other establishments. It leads me to believe that there are people who just want to be lazy and use the system.

[monnee]

People can always get food from their local church or food bank.

[hawkeye3210]

  I have worked hard all my life ten years or so from retirement they took away most of my accrued pernsion and put it in the stock market and we all know how well that's been going!

The stock market is doing great.

[cutiepie9447]

People should educate themselves a little more before they go blaming everything on the government. The government did not "cut" food stamp benefits. The president Obama that you all hate so much put a bill in place in 2009 that RAISED everyone's benefits. That bill has come to an end and food stamps are going back to NORMAL. Rather than appreciate that there was more to go around for 4 years and be thankful for it, people are complaining and blaming the government? Makes no sense.

[amahomes]

 we get Food stamps. We all want to receive but don't want to give any our time back to balance out our community. example: how many volunteer to your nursing home,Hospital to cut the cost. Yes we . do need to educate our self more and be thankful.  I am not sure I am making sense. here

[moonangel]

the problem really isn't that snap is back to normal its that food prices are much higher than they were back then