Food Stamps Research Paper

Food stamps are an important component of low-income families’ monthly resources, increasing the chances that families are able to meet basic needs (Ratcliffe, McKernan & Finegold, 2008). This form of food relief dates back to the Great Depression when many Americans lost their jobs and did not have money to feed their families. People were starving while farmers produced abundant crop that could not be sold due to a lack of consumers with buying power (Dorsch, 2013). The Federal Surplus Relief Corporation which was a part of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, bought basic farm goods at low prices and distributed the among hunger relief agencies in different states and local communities (Congressional Digest, 2013).

Food Stamp is a government-funded program in the United States. This is a program that helps people buy food for their families; in other words, it is a very important program to families living in poverty. It is the nation’s most important program in the fight against hunger. This program was developed in the 1960’s; it is made to improve the nutrition level and food purchasing power of people with low-income. This program is offered to people who cannot afford to buy groceries for their families, regardless of age, color, sex or religion. Food Stamps can only be used to buy food items not hygiene or household items, and it’s offered only on a monthly basis.

SNAP is the foundation of nutrition assistance programs. This program provides over 47 million individuals in nearly 23 million low-income households. The eligibility is not restricted to certain groups of individuals, and because of this, SNAP serves a vast amount of families with children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities. Others eligible for SNAP include families with adults who work in low-wage jobs, unemployed workers, and those with a fixed income. The SNAP Program assists about 72 percent of people who live in households with children. Nearly 25 percent of households with seniors and individuals with disabilities, are also assisted (Rosenbaum, 2013).

People who can cook and work need to buy all the ingredients, but in reality, it is hard to make time to shop before work or after work. People who have food stamps are low income people who needs to work for hours to support their family. When people who work need to shop, they need to think about open and close time for the grocery store, shopping time, traffic and finding parking space, waiting line to buy, and also time for going back to their house to drop off all the food and going to work if they are planning to shop before their shift. For example, When you go to the Costco or Walmart, there are long lines to purchase and countless cars in the parking lot. Costco is always busy with people that

According to Reuters, approximately 47 million people receive Food Stamps. That equates to 1 in 8 Americans (Abbott). Food Stamps is away to supplement those who are having trouble finding jobs and supporting their families. There are individuals who take it for granted, and abuse the system. Many people apply yearly for assistance, but get turned away because their case is insufficient, or there is simply not enough room to accommodate them. According to an article, states that since Food Stamps are running out of funds and people are turning to food banks for support (Food Assistance Becoming the "New Normal). Food banks are designed for extreme measures such a natural disaster, extreme weather conditions, and the homeless.

This particular article is written by Patricia A. Duffy who states that low income families use the food pantry for emergence assistance for food, aside from the traditional government programs; this article suggests that food pantries are heavily used for emergency food (Duffy). The article focuses more on lower income families instead of the homeless. It compares food stamp programs along with the food pantry to understand how they both tie in to one another. There are various statistics and interviews of those who participate in such programs across the nation.

A Wide majority of people with food stamps don’t spend that money on the food. They’ll buy clothes or toys and ruin their opportunity to put that money where it needs to

The food stamp program is lacking to provide stability for the poverty stricken people of America. The first ever food stamp program was established during the Great Depression. At this time, prices were down on everything, including

For those convicted who want a chance to succeed in the outside world, allowing access to food stamps could be the difference between a second chance at life or a second sentence in jail.

I believe the evaluation of the SNAP program proves that there is more abuse in the program than the government is portraying and as a result, all the stakeholders are suffering from the abuse. It makes me wonder if it would not be easier to just give the recipients money versus stamps and let them control how they want to spend the money. I do not think it would be much different from what is happening now and it would reduce the cost to the taxpayers, and stores that take these EBT cards and the same time allow people to use the money on all their needs not just food.

If I had to say whether food stamps are effective, I would have to ask the millions of people who need that extra income to make ends meet. A lot of

There is many illegal activities committed by those that obtain food stamps. Something has to be done in order for those abusing the assistance

The government provides various funded welfare programs to help those in need. These government-funded programs cover different types of services such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, WIC, PELL grant, Unemployment Compensation, and FHA loans. In addition, the programs provide benefits to low-income individuals and families, and individuals with disabilities. However, these programs may have their advantages and disadvantages as well. Although the programs are to assist low-income individuals, however, not all individuals and families are eligible for benefits of these programs. There are some guidelines in order to qualify for these programs.

The county will let the people know when they need to be fingerprinted and photo imaged in order to get the benefits. Before the interview the food stamp worker will need to see certain documents such as the social security number, personal identification, proof on income, proof of assets, and proof of expenses. During the interview, the county food stamp office asks several questions to determine if a person qualifies for benefits. It is required by state federal law to ask questions about immigration, felonies, Fraud, and income. It is important to know the person’s background information because the government does not accept any falsification. To use the food stamp benefit people are give a plastic Electronic Benefit Transfer card Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that automates the delivery, redemption, and reconciliation of issued public assistance benefits (Electronic Benefit Transfer Project Home Page). People can only purchase nutritious foods as well as seeds and plants to grow food, and are not allowed to buy tobacco, alcohol, pet food, or anything that has been cooked (California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card). The Electronic Benefit Transfer card can trace everything that has been purchased or stolen. It is easier for people to keep their ETB card in a safe place for when they need is to purchase food.

assistance to low income individuals and families. An estimate of 1.8 million New Yorkers and a total of 46.3 million Americans participate in the SNAP program. Despite the large number of individuals on food stamp the Census Bureau reports in 2010 3.9 million people were lifted above the poverty line and 5 million in 2012 all because of the assistance from SNAP. However the federal government has threaten to cut back on the budget for SNAP. In January 2014 the Farm bill was proposed which included an 8.7 million cut to the SNAP program for the next 10 years. Obama later signed the bill into law on February 7, 2014 saying that the Bill would help create more jobs, move the economy forward and give Americans more equal opportunity (Resnikoff 1). Despite the government’s reasons for the budget cut 850 thousand households would be losing an average of 90 dollars per month (Resnikoff 1). This is unfortunate because reports have shown that SNAP is not only an effective federal program but it also has a positive outcome for individuals. Even in the previous statistics, going from 3.9 million to 5 million people lifted above the poverty line in only a two year difference is a significant breakthrough for low income individuals. It is often easy to find yourself falling under the poverty line, but harder to pick yourself back up. Many individuals who are against the program believe that being on food stamps makes an individual more government dependent and takes away the drive for