Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

There is quiet an abundance of social welfare policies related to Medicaid. One of the biggest and well know policy is Social Security, it is also known as the “Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance” (Marx, n.d.). Social Security is based primarily on the money you made while you were able to work, which had to be at least 10 years, and you must contribute payroll taxes during that time. Another well know social policy that is related to Medicaid is Unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance is somewhat similar to social security it is another tool used to try and minimize poverty in America. Eligibility for Unemployment is determined by state of employment and benefits normally last a maximum of 26 weeks. This is a way of giving

In the United States of America, there is enough food in this country that the total amount of agricultural exports is enough to feed everyone twice over (Dorsch, 2013). The problem is that even though there is so much food in this country millions of people require assistance to purchase the food and feed their families. Dating back almost 100 years, the now called Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) has evolved to keep up with the changing needs of the Country. In 1933 SNAP was built into Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA). The AAA was put into law during the great depression. The purpose of the law was to help farmers deal with the excess supply of crops by having the government subsidize the cost. The government would also distribute these crops to relief agencies and local communities (The History of SNAP). In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Food Stamp Act. With this legislation enacted it was now required to purchase stamps. These stamps also had bonus amounts that were determined by income level. In the 90’s and early 2000s major changes were done to SNAP. The electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card was

In the United State, there is a federal nutrition program for low income people to help food budget and buy healthy food. People who have low income in the United States get the food stamps, also known as “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)”. For every month, eligible people who have low income get benefits deposited in to their EBT account. Once they get food stamp, people can purchase food items including seeds and plants to grow food in their house or backyard. It can be used at a grocery store, a supermarket, a farmer 's market, and a shelter that serves meals. However, with all these great benefits, people still eat unhealthy because of too much time consuming, limited money, some food dessert area, and the benefits allow people to eat junk food.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is intended to assist families that are living in poverty to achieve self-sufficiency by providing the family with cash benefits. The TANF program has several characteristics of early U.S. social welfare programs. Although today, the policies regarding the TANF program are much different than the early programs and changes continue to occur to change the TANF policy. Today the TANF policy provides funding sources, strict income limits, and has incorporated employment programs to promote self-sufficiency of individuals that receive benefits, to name just a few.

only conviction, and twelve states have eliminated the ban entirely. Lastly, women are disproportionately affected by such provisions since they are the primary recipient of these welfare benefits. Since the adoption of the welfare reform law of 1996, an estimated of 92,000 women in 23 states, which more than half of them were African American and Latina (Mauer, 2003). Public Assistance such as food stamps is a critical component to support their family, how the state handles the loss of eligibility varies, with some actions being more punitive than others. For example, Texas has a lifetime ban on food stamps for people convicted of a drug felony. The state loses out on federal funds that could be used to help people with drug felony convictions

Mrs. Jones, like many older adults, is on a fixed income, has Medicare for health coverage, but lacks prescription drug coverage. She was recently prescribed a new medication by her physician, which she cannot afford. As Mrs. Jones nurse, it is my responsibility to advocate for her by providing education and sharing information on the multiple different avenues available to decrease the cost of the medication prescribed. I will identify three strategies in which I can help Mrs. Jones afford her medication. First, I will provide education on her insurance plan and explain Medicare Drug Plans and their enrollment process. Secondly, I will identify a financial assistance program which she might qualify for. Finally, I will identify different ways to lower the cost of the medication such as coupons, drug discount cards, switching to a generic medication, and store programs ("Prescription Drug," 2014). All of these options are a solution to Mrs. Jones problem. In the meantime, it may be beneficial to obtain free samples from the physician 's office if possible, but this only makes sense if there is a strong likelihood that she will eventually be able to afford the new medication.

So if the poor of today earn roughly the same in current dollars as those many years ago, how do they afford their “elevated” lifestyle? The answer lies in over 200 Federal and State programs designed to support them until they are able to thrive independently. The most popular include the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps,

        The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-265) was passed by Congress in 2004 (Corbin & McKenzie, 2008). The act requires all public schools, or schools with federal funding, to develop a wellness plan for the students (Corbin & McKenzie, 2008).  The policy is attached to increase opportunities for nutrition, physical education and encouragement of better food choices outside of school boundaries (Virgilio, 2009). While the sentiment is clearly positive, whether or not it works or favors certain populations is unclear. The Child Nutrition Act guidelines are a model, since some schools are not adequately funded, other vendors come into play that do not have the best interests of our children at

Many do not know they are eligible, others find the process too difficult. Even those on food stamps benefits can run out before the end of the month, creating tough choice about whether to buy food or pay bills. Charities and churches provide some help but cannot fill the growing need. The food stamp program has a rich history in helping the nation’s poor and it continues to be the nation’s first line of defense against

Statistically, I should be a failure. I am three times more likely to become a teen parent than those with mothers who did not have children in their teens. I am more likely to have a mental illness than my peers because of the absence of a steady father figure in early childhood. Due to my poor financial status during a large part of my life, I am less likely to succeed in school and more likely to go to jail. No statistics could have predicted that I would be sitting in a room with the best of my peers debating bills at Alabama Girls State.

The current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lacks efficient criteria and proper monitoring of the program, which has led to individuals taking advantage of the system. The current program as it stands needs to be reformed. Individuals are gaining eligibility into the program that are not using the program as intended, but are using it as a crutch. Recipients have been able to purchase items, using the program, which are not essential for survival and can be viewed as a luxury. Also, recipients of food stamps have been able to create an illegal trade where the individuals have been able to use food stamps as a cash currency. Your department needs to address the importance of having stricter criteria, for

The United States does not spend too much on the food stamp (SNAP program) and no one deserves to go hungry. Every year during budget talks the welfare program comes up as the government explores ways to cut the budget. There seems to be a lot of unnecessary spending due to things like abuse of the system and program administration. There are many areas in which reforms could be instituted and the program could be expanded without misappropriation of funds.

In 1997, there were many changes to the Food Stamp Act. Some of these changes includeed the dismissal of the requirement that applicants purchase the stamps, the “elimination of the requirement that participants purchase the stamps; the establishment of uniform national standards of eligibility; the expansion of the program to minority communities; more federal support for the implementation of the program at the state level; and restricted access to benefits for students enrolled in a university.

I believe that everyone has the right to health care, especially if health conditions calls for it. I do not think income level or the type of insurance should dictate the eligibility or quality of care. By using that criteria, we are implying that certain groups of people deserves to be taken care of and have good health while others do not deserve it. I believe healthcare should be accessible to all as a basic human right.

This is a tough question to answer. I know the government that helps with these basic needs operate on a state level and local level. I think it depends on which state you live in. On a federal level the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exist formerly known as food stamps. Anyone who meets the requirement can received benefits. I think a problem exists when you are right at the cutoff for meeting the requirements. Maybe a short-term type of bridge may be needed. Women Infants and Children (WIC) is another program that helps with nutrition during pregnancy and formula, milk, juice, and fruits for children up to age 5. I think WIC is very beneficial as baby’s brain develops ensuring formula needs are met is critical to performance later in life. Food banks also provide a small amount of relief from the lack