So, my food stamps got cut today

[Tree-Hugger]

Just checked my balance as it was due to roll over at midnight and we've had a $0.00 balance for about a week. We have been getting $476. It was increased to $481 for some reason in October (something about new allowable deductions). Then it was decreased to $444.00 after November 1 when that budget thing expired. We had to renew, so I sent in all of our stubs, etc. My husband has acquired a third job since our last renewal. This new job pays anywhere from about $25.00 per week to maybe about $60.00 per week. Well, our new SNAP amount is $265.00. I am shaking. We aren't making it with his three jobs (and, yes, I have been trying to find employment) and the $400+ was hard to do with our family of four - and I cook from scratch, use coupons, shop sales, etc. I knew it would be decreased because my husband had a new job. I just didn't think by this much. I am in a full panic at the moment.

Fuck this life. Fuck the system that allows adults with families to support to work slave jobs for $7.75 an hour. Seriously, fuck it all.

I've relied on the generosity of so many lately, including some beautiful folks from DU, but it's not way to live. This seriously cannot be okay in what we are told is the greatest country in the world. It's not okay.

Has anyone ever appealed a cut like this and had them increase your amount? I sent the required pay stubs, bank statements, rent and utility statements. They can plainly see for themselves that we're not surviving on this.

Gotta keep fighting the good fight to increase the minimum wage to something livable.

[gerogie2]

1. That is a myth

"I've relied on the generosity of so many lately, including some beautiful folks from DU, but it's not way to live. This seriously cannot be okay in what we are told is the greatest country in the world. It's not okay."

This is the greatest country for the top 5%. The rest of us can go to hell for all the politicians care.

[avebury]

12. Yup. nt

[Tree-Hugger]

16. Very true nt

[grasswire]

2. so they essentially cut it by the amount your husband's 3rd job makes?

Geez.
.
Gotta wonder why those work-loving Republicans would make rules that kill incentive. He might as well quit that third job, it seems.

Please appeal.

I'm so sorry.

Is your congress critter a Democrat?

[Tree-Hugger]

17. Loaded with Republicans here

Like cockroaches. I am in PA, and we have Corbett who thinks the poor should just shuffle off and die.

We will appeal, though my hopes are not up.

[Cha]

3. I'm so sorry your benefits were cut by so much, Tree Hugger.

I would ask for a fair hearing so you can talk in person to someone about this.

[Tree-Hugger]

18. That's my plan.

Hope it works out in our favor.

[TheMastersNemesis]

4. Do You Think Any GOPPERS Give A SHIT? You Should Hear The Bastards Whine About The Takers.

That is why I will not help a Republican in trouble. That is because they enjoy hurting others. the GOPPERS remind me of a story about Vietnam. The US forces had captured some female VC. There was a young trooper who was beginning to feel sorry for them being tied up. A experienced soldier had to remind the young trooper that if he were to untie them these women would cut his throat. So remember when you help a GOPPER they will cut your throat eventually.

[Marrah_G]

5. ~hugs~

[silvershadow]

6. Mine was cut from $200 a month to $12. Apparently my Social Security bumps me over some line. nt

[mfcorey1]

11. My sister did domestic work at hotels for thirty years and retired. There was no pension and a

small 401K that was eaten up because after retiring she had a major stroke. She could not afford the insurance so she started to receive SSI. Social security checks amount to about $934.00. After paying 534.00 for rent in a HUD subsidized housing, utilities and medication, there is little left for food. She applied at SNAP and they offered her $10.00 a month. Then the doctor suggest a special diet which we all know that healthy food cost a fortune. She does the best she can but ten dollars? When questioned about it the reps say they have strict guidelines. What a world!

[Tree-Hugger]

20. Shameful

That should not be allowed to happen.

[Tree-Hugger]

19. That's ridiculous

I'm sorry they did that to you.

[silvershadow]

23. Thank you. nt.

[tofuandbeer]

7. This is so sad. Sorry to hear. :(

[defacto7]

8. It breaks my heart to read your story.

It's not right, it's just not right.

[Half-Century Man]

9. Wisconsin here

Family of four, slightly over $1500.00 below qualifying income for Food Stamps, and receive $54.00 in aid. Have to spend over 10 hours a month at food Pantries.
Each food truck day (second harvest) at local distribution points (2 in local area=3 trucks per month)more and more people have to get food. The day will not be to far away when demand exceeds supply.

[Tree-Hugger]

21. Our fod pantries

Get very busy. They are spread thin quite often.

[newfie11]

10. This is insane

I only wish the repugs making these changes could swap places with the folks they effect.

To do this to suffering people is psychotic. Who the hell keeps voting these idiots in office?

[ladyVet]

13. Wow, that's a huge cut over a job that won't be steady income.

I feel for you, and others in this situation. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to try and better your life, does it? Damned bastards, on both sides, that won't help our poor.

We were lucky, in that ours only got cut $37 last month. We have to re-qualify in January, and I'm worried sick something will be messed up even though nothing in our situation has changed.

I'm cooking from scratch, simple meals for a family of four. Mostly hamburger for us, no steaks or lobster! Though I'm sorely tempted sometimes to buy steaks and see if anybody runs their mouth about it. So far, nobody has made any comments or anything when I'm checking out, but I'm sure that day is coming.

It's not easy, trying to find good deals or stuff to cook that doesn't cost a lot of money, but so far we've been doing pretty well.

[Tree-Hugger]

24. It really does seem like it's not worth it to try

I often hear stories about people who are afraid of what would happen if they took on extra work, increased hours, etc. Yes, they'd have the work, but they may lose some of the benefits they rely on and they are scared. Now I know what it's like.

I have actually bought steak from time to time. There are occasions when it gets marked down super cheap at the end of it's sell by date. That, coupled with a store coupon for $5.00 of a meat purchase allowed me to get a couple of steaks for a little over $2.00. No one said anything to me.

[B Calm]

14. I wonder if by cutting food stamps that it doesn't end up forcing

this do nothing fucking congress to get off their dead asses and raise the minimum wage. . .

[Systematic Chaos]

15. Ours started at $164 or so 2 years ago. Now $111.

Very little has changed with regards to our expenses. If anything they're higher than they were 2 years ago.

What fleeting, tiny amount of our income which passes for "discretionary spending" has all but disappeared. And that "discretionary spending" is also multiplier straight back into the fucking economy. Clearly, the megacorps can do without us and countless millions of others.

[Orrex]

22. The renewal process is murder.

I have a degree and have worked in an office for years, and I still found the confusing, ambiguous form to be a bit overwhelming, especially because I have to re-document information that hasn't changed from one round to the next, such as my children's SSNs.

Last time I renewed, a young mother (about 22) was seated in the lobby with her toddler and baby. I overheard that she's getting a GED but hasn't yet obtained it.

If the paperwork is a handful for someone with the benefit of my experience, how much moreso for a person in her situation?