Last month I read a post at Living Almost Large titled “Still Hungry with Food Stamps“. It was in response to this CNN article about a woman who found it difficult to feed her and her baby on $280 a month in food stamps. LivingAlmostLarge thought that it shouldn’t be a problem to eat on that amount a month but some of the commenters disagreed with her. Since I’ve been on food stamps myself I wanted to do my own post on the subject and I’ve finally gotten around to it.
I was on food stamps in Texas for three months in 2003. I was employed at the time but not getting many hours and therefore not making much money. I was making just enough money to pay my bills but certainly wasn’t going hungry. Since I worked at a pizza restaurant I had access to free food several times a week. I debated whether to apply for food stamps but decided I should go ahead and take advantage of the program.
It was pretty easy to apply for the food stamps. I just filled out an application and dropped it off at the office. I was called about a week later and after a short interview I was declared eligible for $160 a month in food stamps. I don’t remember the exact details of documentation but I remember being surprised at how easy the process was. I was also surprised at the amount, $160 seemed like a lot to me for one person.
The food stamps were actually in the form of an EBT card which worked like a debit card. The first month I used my entire allotted amount. Some of this was due to buying food for a friend that visited and building up a supply of basic staples. The second month I didn’t come close to using all of my allotted amount. This amount rolled over to the next month resulting in me having much more than $160 to spend on groceries for the month. The third month I got a new job and canceled my food stamps. However, I was still able to use the amount remaining on my EBT card and used it to buy my groceries for the next couple months.
Overall, I would say my experience with food stamps was a positive one. I found a $160 a month to be plenty of money for groceries and I actually bought more expensive foods than I normally would have. I did occasionally get dirty looks when using the card but for the most part no one seemed to care that I was using them.
If I were in the same position again though I wouldn’t apply for food stamps. I was eligible for them so it was legal for me to do so but since I could have easily got by without them I don’t think it was ethical to do so. So far this year I’ve been averaging $100-$150 on food including restaurant food so I’d have to be pretty poor to not be able to afford food without food stamps.
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I looked at the food stamp program in Florida. It’s really strict. You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco, medicine, vitamins, hot food, food eaten in the store or any other nonfood items.
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Guess it’s not hard to live on $280 then if you lived on $160/month.
Hi, I read this article and felt I should throw in my two cents (EBT, FS). I’m currently an unemployed homeless man without kids, and, most importantly, on food stamps in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Maryland).
The day I applied for food stamps, I came in almost as soon as the office opened up at about 8:30am, and sat waiting until about 2pm. I could do that because of my situation, but I imagine there are people who wouldn’t be able to; not all homeless are unemployed.
My case manager was rude, jabbing me with insults the entire interview, morbidly obese to the point of physical ailment, and smelled of awful hygiene practices.
I enrolled in a job training program, and was told I would be lucky if I heard anything in less than three months. Something happened to my case manager where my case got shifted over and expedited. After a month, I was given short of the full allotted amount ($150) for two months ($300).
Food stamps, as shoyu pointed out, is a USDA subsidized program only for food; those restrictions apply to all states. It makes it tough when you lack access to a refrigerator or a stove/microwave/oven. As an added bonus, food stamps are tax exempt.
Now for a little math: You have $150 to spread equally among 30 days, what is your daily budget? That’s right; you have $5 a day.
What factors might impact that budget? Recent flooding in the heartland and surges in gas prices (transportation costs). Nothing here costs less than $5.00, except for bottled water, and that s#!t ain’t cheap. You could argue that “why not just drink tap?” Have you seen the area’s water statistics? You can find gasoline, lead, and, of course, there was that WSSC water main break that had restaurants shut down and homes boiling water for three days.
Now, you have $280 to spend on two people (one of them an infant) for 30 days; that’s less than $10 per day. Add in that extra $65 she gets (I just read the CNN piece), and we’re talking $345 — $11.50 per day, assuming she don’t use that $65 a month on other expenses. A single mother, who’s still menstruating (as I’m sure you all know, you lose a lot of nutrients when you bleed), and a growing four month old.
Of course, there’s always the “alternative;” buy food at the dollar store. I’m limited to the (ready to open) canned food, and have you read the ingredients? It’s as if a chemical plant was under pressure to get rid of its waste products and said “Hey! We can just toss in some food and call it a day!” I can deal with it, I can eat it if I have to, but you better believe that’s not going near my kid. Besides, I haven’t seen baby food or formula at the dollar store.
Food banks supply you with three days of food, at most, and comprise primarily of desserts and expired foods (not all expired food is spoiled).
Anyways, at the end of the month (I admit I haven’t been frugal, nor particularly aiming for it) my two-months-worth of food stamps have nearly evaporated. Maybe I could do more with less if I had a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven/stove/microwave, and I can stretch out my benefits as is, thank God, but there are some people who simply aren’t as fortunate, for whatever reason.
While I agree that it’s possible to live on less (Hell, I can live on a dollar a day), I don’t think it’s right that Living Almost Large knocks on the woman in the article because she either doesn’t or simply can’t, and while I’m happy that Tight Fisted Miser had a pleasant experience, I don’t think it’s indicative of others’, by-and-large. At least not here. I hope this was helpful.
I totally understand why someone who has no access to cooking and refrigeration facilities would find it much more expensive to feed themselves. Your words offered a perspective I had not yet thoroughly considered. Thank you.
I do want to put my two cents in regarding the new mother, however. When my son was born (and until he was 2yo), I feed my family of three on less than $250/mth. I breast fed the baby and cut grocery corners wherever I could w/o sacrificing nutrition. As the baby grew, I easily made homemade baby food by steaming and pureeing fruits and veggies. His rice cereal cost us about $8/mth. Many communities have produce markets where fresh fruits and veggies are sold for much less than they are in the grocery. To this day, we get much of our produce from these markets. Dried beans are sold in just about every grocery and are not only VERY inexpensive, but very nutritious. Pasta is affordable and flexible. Even though this year’s crop has been hurt, rice is still cheap and nutritious. Sales on chicken are something I still look for. Fish can reasonably make it to the frugal table once a week via can or freezer.
My son’s first two years were spent in a neighborhood where food stamps were the norm. I heard the same complaints from the people around me–there was no way to feed their family on the amount of food stamps they got. It would upset me greatly because I KNEW these neighbors were eating more expensive (and often, less nutritious) foods than we were and that was why they were struggling with it. I wouldn’t offer my opinion here if I hadn’t lived it.
I just felt like I had to put in my two cents worth on this one. I had received $389 in food stamps per month for a family of four. I did work but didn’t make enough money for everything. I found that shopping for family packs and breaking them down into 2 meals worked very well. Let’s say you get 8 pork chops, make 2 meals by giving each person one. With potatoes, a veggie and a slice of bread or a roll, that makes a great dinner. Also, any left overs I have, I put in baggies and toss them in the freezer, at the end of the month, I put all that into a big pot and make soup. The soup usually makes about three dinners. Bread and rice are good belly fillers. I really like rice because you can make many different tastes with it.
I found the article to be interesting but I’m on food stamps and I don’t find it to be enough for my family. My husband only makes $11.75 and I stay home with our kids because it would cost more to school them than I could make, while were going to school. We receive $379 month in benefits in Florida and that is not enough for two 22yr olds, a 4 yr old and a 7mths old. We even prepare all our meals, and never buy freezer food. I can believe a single person could live on that little. But I couldn’t see myself and the baby living on only $280.
Jewelie- I can see how $379 for four people would be difficult. I think $280 for an adult and a baby is very doable though. There are lots of tips in the comments on how to lower your food bill. You might try some and see if they work for you.
You were able to live on 160 a month because you had free food given to you for working in the food industry. We are a family of 5 living in texas with a monthly income of 1600.00. which all goes on bills and what we receive a month on food stamps is only 55 dollars. texas is strict from what i can tell. we should be eligible for way more dont you agree.
sandlinmix6- I lived in Texas when I received the $160 a month. I think the amount you receive depends on which county you live in. Receiving only $55 a month for a family of 5 is obviously not going to be enough.
I live in FL. Been looking for a job everyday for 13 months. I was just denied food stamps because I am on unemployment. My daughter and I will just continue to eat Ramen soup and peanut butter sandwiches I guess. Isn’t that healthy? Thanks FL, NOT. The only people here that can get food stamps are homeless or have a ridiculous amount of children. It’s OK for the rest of us to go hungry. What a crappy place to live.
I applied for food stamps when my husband lost his job in new york. It took them six weeks to process my application and now that I got my food stamps for the time applied through the end of January. All of a sudden there is a problem with my February stamps. I just didnt get them and guess what no one answer the phone or calls you back. I am a family of five. We are still in tough shape. God people we need to fix the system. When I applied the worker was the most unfriendly person I ever met. Where do they find these people. It is as if they hate their jobs. People be human.
I read the post, and some of the comments, and I just wanted to put in a few words. I myself, am currently waiting for foodstamp benefits, so I can definately in some way understand the way that some of the previous commenters are feeling; however, I wanted to say a few words against all the complaining. #1, yes, I agree, the process in my state, TX has been rediculous, and the caseworkers are normally very rude, and always treat you like you are lying. But I wanted to say to those complaining about the amount of benefits that they recieved. That $160 or $250, or whatever you recieved is more that nothing. Keep in mind that there are families that are struggling, and are not able to receive these benefits. This is an ASSISTANCE program. These programs exist to help you in a time of need, not to support you. It is your job to provide for your family, yourself, your children. Not the governments. I am not saying that there are not people out there that need these services, I am one of them. I am just saying, be greatful for the HELP that you do get. That is what the program is for… to help. If you cannot feed your family on the amount that you are given in the form of assistance, then it is your responsibility to do what you need to do to feed your family. Coupons, sales, like the one person mentioned about the markets. Instead of buying that extra bag of chips, or that box of hot pockets, but things for meals.
Like I said, I do understand that yes, there are problems with the system. But it is irritating when people receive help, something is given to them, and they are ungreatful for what they have been given. Just remember, that amount that you received, is better than nothing.
1- I’m a caseworker in the FS office in Texas, and have worked there almost 17 years. I’m not one of the “rude” ones, but I get treated rudely on a daily basis by my clients- I didn’t put them in their particular situations, but please believe it’s always “our” fault.
2- I’m also a single mother of 2. 2 TEENAGERS. I feed us on around $250 per month and so I know it’s doable. Many that get FS with babies also get WIC- so in essence, that $260 being received by the mom and her baby is plenty- IF she knows what to do with it. I struggle too, yet am unable to get assistance- so I don’t buy the $4 boxes of cereal, soda, etc. I buy lots of chicken and hamburger meat. Potatoes. Vegetables. My kids don’t and never have “lacked” in food- then, you know there is angelfoodministries that sells pretty good stuff and they take FS as well. There IS a way.
3- Texas isn’t “strict” insomuch as FS are regulated by the Feds, so but for some very minor differences, cases are worked the same nationwide- income limits aren’t determined in local offices, they are determined by the FEDS. Deductions allowed are also determined by the feds.
What do you do with a worker who is incredibly rude? She has got to be the worst person to deal with in a situation that’s both embarrassing and necessary.
What do we do?
I just went and applied for food assistance last Friday. Luckily my caseworker was decent. I was already humiliated asking for assistance, so my caseworker treating me like a human helped a bit.
I couldn’t manage $260 a month in assistance. That breaks down to like $63 or a so a week. Not including the month with 5 weeks. And baby food is NOT cheap!! Sure she can get WIC, but WIC does not cover the cost of baby foods, which a 10 month old would be on right now.
Leave it to the Government to give as little as possible!
After reading this article and the comments I just wanted to toss me 2 cents in.
I am on disability (which is a WHOLE other issue in and of itself lol) and I receive Food stamp benefits in Massachusetts.
I recently got an increase in my food stamps and I get $172 a month in food stamps. If you split that buy 30 days that is about 5.33 per day for meals.
Split that by 3 meals a day that is 1.77 per meal. Realistically I don’t know how people are expected to live off of that.
I have tried living off of boxed macaroni and cheese (which is like 3 for a dollar at my local super market and surprisingly good lol) as well as living off of Ramen (soup/noodles)which is like 5 dollars for 25 packages and still struggled.
And there have been times where I still came up short and I had to go to a food pantry at the end of the month just to have food to last me until I got my food stampos again.
Let me take that a step further. With the little you get with food stamps it is even more difficult to be able to afford to eat healthier and or to even afford fresh produce and other dairy items. Especially with the rising costs of food. Milk alone is almost 4 dollars a gallon where I live.
I do not know how people with children make it each month.
Don’t get me wrong food stamps help me out. Without them I would surely STARVE but as my Food Stamp worker informed me “Food stamps are not supposed to pay for all of your groceries per month. They are meant to subsidize you grocery costs. The DTA (Department OF Transitional Assistance {”welfare” ion my state} expects people to pay for their groceries also”
I am NOT knocking the food stamp program down. Not by any means. It has helped me. Without them I would surely starve. I just think you have to make creative use of your food stamps.
My best advice is cut coupons and shop according to what your supermarket has in their sales flier that week.
I am currently on disability, but I used to be a food stamp caseworker in Texas, for many years. “Rude” is the favorite term clients have for their caseworkers.
I will explain a few things, but notexplore how food stamps are spent.
Many caseworks work VERY hard for clients, and many of the clients don’t realize the caseworkers don’t make the policy, and care more about the FS recipients than anyone else. The politicians don’t care; they think they’re being generous already.
I worked about a year longer than I should have, dragging myself to work in a chronically understaffed FS office to help people. Maybe the “overweight” stinky DC caseworker had similar problems as I did, still trying to give it his all. that ill caseworker gave him? The caseworker went to work SICK, but the homeless man wasn’t working. I doubt the DC food stamp office had a fully trained person waiting to replace him.
Golly gee, I’ve heard chronically unemployed welfare recipients call caseworkers “lazy” lots of times.
Food stamps go on formulas EVERYWHERE. Things like rent and utility expenses are budgeted against income. Sometimes the caseworker does make a mistake. You can ask for a supervisor or file a formal appeal.
Government has cutoffs. Has to. Even if they do not seem fair.
You may not know your neighbor’s situation in full. Ten years ago, I could give a working mother with 2 children maybe $125 in food stamps if she was $1 under the limit. But if she went $1 over the income limit, she got nothing.
I was too busy doing my daily job to worry about how my clients spent their food stamps. Almost everybody who came in said they didn’t have any food. Yet, if we made a food bank referral. very few would actually go. That’s how we knew most were not really out of food. Who really runs out of food can vary according to office location.
The DC homeless man spent approximately 6 hours in the office and eventually got almost $300 in food stamps. That paid a lot better than 6 hours at minimum wage.
Everything in life has a price, whether it’s waiting in a social service office a few hours for help or working some job for minimum wage.
I worked close to urban homelessness, but most homeless eat at the soup kitchens. I don’t know about DC, but in Texas, there aren’t many social services for the homeless either. But my homeless clients seemed to eat. I would believe a homeless person claiming not to have any food, but most food stamps recipients everywhere live in homes. Most have some food left in their homes, too, they just don’t want what they got.
Again, if they were really hungry and we couldn’t give them FS as quick as they wanted, they’d go to a food bank. Not very many ever went to the food bank.
If you think your worker is rude, talk to a supervisor or call a main office. However, most of the complaints we ever got were unjustified. Most people just wanted their food stamps instantly, and it takes time.
In Texas, almost everybody wants emergency food stamps the same day without waiting. Not every household is eligible for emergency food stamps. The regulations say eligible households will get food stamps in 30 days.
30 days doesn’t always happen either. Why? The programs are woefully underfunded. Clients don’t return adequate info. There are computer problems and staffing problems. It takes nerves of steel to keep working welfare and have people screaming at you for food when many things are beyond your control.
But if you WORK at a job, you almost always get your paycheck timely. Once I didn’t get paid timely because the IRS had seized one of my employer’s accounts. The laws are stricter about paychecks. American employers used to pay late and stiff employees, but laws were passed with penalties.
WORK, folks, is a much more reliable way to get stuff. I don’t see social services getting any easier to obtain in the near future.
More ramblings on posts:
I always found it strange when caseworkers said stuff like the department expects you to pay for part of your food yourself and FS are meant to subsidize food costs. That’s a comment I’d report to a supervisor.
It’s true that FS were meant as a subsidy. Nevertheless,the program has changed such that there are people who have 0 income and use FS as their only means to buy food.
Zero income is usually a temp situation. The homeless or unemployed should eventually get a job or disability.
Welfare parents also get cash assistance. However, now we have whole generations who have grown up on food stamps and school lunches who don’t associate food with work.
There are other things that the caseworker is required by law to tell the applicant and probably never did; eg, the interview is confidential, you have the right to appeal, etc.
Telling people to buy only generic food brands and to use coupons is also inappropriate. Such statements are only appropriate if asked.
FS may be used to buy seeds to grow food and any food not meant to be consumed on the premises. No alcohol, cigs, or paper products. The FS recipient is free to spend their benefit as he or she pleases on any allowable food. That includes cheap or expensive foods.
Anyone who has a problem with a whole generation growing up eating on assistance or buying candy and steaks should contact their politicians. That’s the way the program is.
It’s never true that only the homeless or people with kids get FS. Unemployment comp is income, and if the income is high enough, a person may not also get FS. You are expected to spend job income, worker’s comp, Soc Sec, unemployment comp, etc., to buy food.