[socialismisinsidious]

too proud and independent

Actually in the rest of the article the writer implies that they are too stupid (they don't know about them) or too lazy (don't want to fill out the 22 page form and complete the monthly reports) to get food stamps.

Use of the 'food shelves' has increased by 45%.

[reformedliberal]

If they are working poor and have children, they must choose between food stamps and the EITC, aka: income tax refund.

There are also people who are too embarrassed to use food stamps if they shop and live in a small community where they are known.If they make extra money in a given month and if they used Medicaid, they are billed for a percentage of the Medicaid consumed, as well.

This is exactly what people who would be eligible have told me.

I don't know a lot of people eligible for assistance, but the one I have spoken with are absolute experts in government paper work. They are made to do reams of it for every *benefit* they claim.