DeLauro facing tough fight over food stamps

The CT Mirror ^

[matt04]

When Jody Rodiger of Manchester volunteered to help Connecticut's needy buy food, she never thought she would one day also depend on food stamps.

"I advocated for it for years, I knew the program inside and out. But I never thought it would be for me," Rodiger, 50, said.

Like many who've recently swelled the ranks of the SNAP, as the food stamp program is now known, Rodiger is a middle-class professional. She and millions of other American victims of the recession suddenly found they could not afford food.

"It was a lifesaver," Rodiger said of the food stamp program.

But Congress is expected to cut the SNAP program this year, although it's not known by how much. Senate Democrats have proposed trimming the program by $4.4 billion, while House Republicans are seeking a $33 billion reduction.

The $80.6 billion spent on SNAP this year is the largest part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's budget.

...

In February, nearly 200,000 Connecticut households received food stamps, double the number of households enrolled in the program in February 2006.

Some of the increase was the result of the state's decision in 2009 to raise the SNAP income eligibility ceiling from 130 percent to 185 percent of the federal poverty level and eliminate the consideration of assets when determining if an individual qualifies for the program.

[DannyTN]

"Some of the increase was the result of the state's decision in 2009 to raise the SNAP income eligibility ceiling from 130 percent to 185 percent of the federal poverty level and eliminate the consideration of assets when determining if an individual qualifies for the program."

There should always be an asset test. And if assets are high but illiquid, then the aid should be structured as a loan not a give me. There is absolutely no reason a millionaire should ever be on food stamps.

[DannyTN]

And while I think they should close loop holes like the lack of an asset test, they shouldn't cut the benefit.

Instead they should raise tarrifs, close the border and deport illegals until these people have jobs. Jobs will automatically cut this program.

[dfwgator]

Rodiger is a middle-class professional. She and millions of other American victims of the recession suddenly found they could not afford food.

You mean to tell me that all of the years they were working that they didn't manage to save any money for a rainy day?

[MEGoody]

Rodiger is a middle-class professional. She and millions of other American victims of the recession suddenly found they could not afford food.

How could a middle-class professional come to this? Did she or her spouse lose their job, or did they just spend like the federal government?

[dennisw]

“There should always be an asset test.”

My state looks at yr assets if you want food stamps, EBT whatever it is called. Every state has its own policy on this. EBT card swipers abound at the Walmart grocery store I go to sometimes. I must follow one out and see what kind of 2010-2012 vehicle she gets into

[PzLdr]

Sionce one of the two things one actually needs to survive, along with water, is food, what exactly has a higher priority for this woman’s expenditures?

[Puppage]

Rodiger is a middle-class professional. She and millions of other American victims of the recession suddenly found they could not afford food.

How much ya wanna bet they kept their cable tv, cell phones and weekly trips to the nail salon?

[Buckeye McFrog]

Gov. Corbett recently re-imposed an asset test here in Pennsylvania.

The Democrats, the Media, and even the Catholic Church are treating him as if he were The Grinch who Stole Christmas.

[matt04]

I have seen food stamp recipients in my area get into Escalades, Audi A6/7s and Mercedes.

[dennisw]

“I have seen food stamp recipients in my area get into Escalades, Audi A6/7s and Mercedes.”

Yikes! I am going to do a little snooping of my own.