January 11, 2012 Each year the federal government allocates money for food stamps to aid Americans who need help feeding their families. The families who benefit from this money are people who face enormous hurdles every day, searching for jobs, coordinating child-care, and making tough decisions about where their hard earned money should be spent.
Governor Corbett is fortunate enough not to have to make those hard decisions; if his car breaks down, the state provides another. If he ends up in the ER, he gets first class treatment and the bill is taken care of.
Apparently he cannot even comprehend what it might mean for a family to have to choose between preparing for an emergency, and preventing one’s children from going hungry.
This week he announced that beginning in May people under the age of 60 who have over $2,000 in savings and other assets, and people over 60 with more than $3,250, would no longer be eligible for food stamps.
This deplorable action not only punishes Pennsylvanians for being poor, it also punishes them for being responsible.
Truly, it is a blessed person who can put away money in the bank, whether to help pay for their kid’s college, prepare for unforeseen medical or auto repair bills, or the distant hope of someday retiring. These families on the edge of poverty are exactly people that federal programs like food stamps are intended to help.
But Governor Corbett’s imposition of this asset test is counterproductive to the federal government’s goal of lifting families out of poverty and into the middle class.
That is why I call on all the elected officials in Pennsylvania, particularly those elected to federal office, and especially those whose districts encompass the hungriest residents of our state, to urge Governor Corbett to reconsider his decision.
When I am elected to serve Pennsylvania’s First District in Congress (which includes Chester), I will not hesitate to stand up for my constituents, even when that means confronting the most powerful man in the state.
I refuse to stand idly by certain officials abuse their power to use federal dollars to help those in need.
I am committed to helping every eligible resident obtain the help they deserve.
That is why my staff and I will be available, now in our campaign office, and later in my Congressional District office, to personally help anyone who is eligible to apply for food stamps.
With these steps we can help transform the First District from the second hungriest in the nation to a healthy, safe community free from want.
This is a very interesting story, I think, because many ppl forget that welfare is offered to help elevate ppl from current conditions. I knew someone who lived in Washington (state) and they told me that in that state a lot of ppl who were on section 8 were located in nice neighborhoods because the state wanted them to learn from families who weren't getting assistance. It's very smart when you think about it, its an example of the true essence of the public assistance program.
ReplyDeleteThe best response I heard to this situation is that the limit should be $10,000 in assets.
DeletePeople should be encouraged to save more than $2000. One small emergency and you're wiped out.
just wondering out loud...if you need food stamps to survive...how can you save???
DeleteYou got it backwards.
DeleteFor people who were conscious savers, like the worker who contributed weekly to his 401k, and then he gets fired, when he needs food stamps he can't get them if he has over $2000 in his 401k account.
He'll have to cash out all but $1999.99, pay the penalties, prove that he didn't hide the cash under the mattress, before he can apply for food stamps.
You are right. You cannot save if you are receiving food stamps. No one would expect you to. Good point.
On second thought, you better cash out all but $1500. God forbid you earn enough interest and fall over $2000 again. You'd be arrested for fraud...maybe.
Deletethere are people who are getting foodstamps and are living better then me and I have a federal job, I am devorced and I pay a large amount in childsupport and when it's said and done I bring home 1,200 a mouth and that has to go toward rent electric gas for the car. I need help but the system says I make too much. my ex-wife get welfare and has a live in boyfriend who works for septa and she doesn't report that income, they are living the life while I am hanging on by a string can anybody say welfare fraud.
ReplyDeleteLamont2086@msn.com
What you pay in child support is not deducted from your income when it comes to those family court formulas. Unless you can work out a deal with the momma, you gotta make some cash on the side.
DeleteBeen there...done that.
I am meeting with him today in my home to dicuss the issues the citizens of Chester are facing in the district and in the city...you should be here Stefan...but I'll tape it and let you listen to it so you can write an article about it...
ReplyDeleteGreat. We'll compare notes.
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