So, my food stamps got cut today

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.