Food stamp cuts leave African-Americans vulnerable (Murderers, drug dealers & pedophiles banned)

MSNBC's The Grio ^ | January 24, 2014 | Candace Y.A. Montague

[2ndDivisionVet]

Budget cuts aimed at weaning Americans off of public assistance may make the start of 2014 lean for many African-Americans.

Last month, after much debate, Congress began implementing it’s budget cut plan to reduce funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program otherwise known as SNAP. The program provides monetary help for families in poverty and alleviates food insecurity. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is used by approximately 47 million Americans. But with funding reductions and bans for convicted felons many people wonder how Americans will finally be able to climb out of poverty.

Who needs SNAP?

The Recovery Act of 2009 (otherwise known as the Stimulus Bill) provided a temporary boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Then, Congress voted in 2010 to cut $11 billion in funding for the SNAP Benefits. The first fiscal year cut occurred last month, subtracting $5 billion from the program. There will be two more fiscal year cuts to come before September 2014. Approximately one in four African-American households will be affected by the cuts in the SNAP program. That means, a family of four would lose $36 a month in assistance.

Food assistance creates a healthier environment and helps many families climb out of poverty. Research has shown that food stamps help to stabilize the economy during this crisis by allowing families to use money that would be earmarked for food to go to other expenses such as rent and utilities. Eighty-three percent of SNAP benefits go to households with children, elderly persons, or disabled persons. Children who live in households that receive food assistance were less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses or be at risk for developmental delays....

[wbill]

I have a pretty simple solution for "felons not receiving food stamps".

Don't commit a felony. Ever.

But that's too simple, I suppose.

[SeaHawkFan]

Not at all. It was just that the article was about African-Americans.

Same is true for many people of all races getting food stamps.

Before accusing someone of bigotry, you should have your facts straight.

[mdmathis6]

You brought up the weight mixing it with the race issue. We all “saw what you did there”! The correct thing to have surmised was that there “ seems to be a correlation between obesity and folks of all races who are on ebt subsidies!”

[SeaHawkFan]

The writer of thearticle mentioned ONLY African-American women.

If she had just kept to people on food stamps in general. My initial comment would have reflected that.

[lodi90]

Articles like this are propaganda. The author never mentions the “farm bill” has increased from $600 billion to $900 billion under the kenyan’s watch. There are no substantive cuts here.