For anyone receiving unemployment checks the idea of getting free money is so novel they end up exploring other ways of scamming the government for goods. Now that food stamps (aka Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are distributed via special debit cards rather than actual stamps, the unemployed for sure have looked into whether they’re eligible to participate. Free food? Why not?
These are tough times, and for some unemployed people it takes food stamps to help make ends meet. Depending on food stamps to feed your family is no joke. Using food stamps to buy luxury food items kind of is. For some unemployed people who have been laid off, they understand the concept that food stamps are intended to help low income people buy healthy groceries instead of resorting to cheap fast food, and they aim to exploit it.
A lot of people who lost their jobs weren’t “fortunate” enough to have maxed out their weekly unemployment benefits and receive a tiny percentage of what they used to make. If their salaries were on the low end of the spectrum there’s a good chance they might actually qualify to receive food stamps, and will apply just for the “novelty” of telling people they’re on them. The food stamp for novelty recipients will end up purposely abusing the system by buying stuff that hasn’t exactly been blacklisted by the government. They’ll pop into the corner store because they’re thirsty and want a snack and walk out with Perrier and a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream. And they can get away with it because they can argue they needed it as a clean water source and a nutritious dairy product.
Instead of using the food stamp benefits to maintain a healthy diet on a low income as intended, the unemployed are set on figuring out exactly what they can and can’t get away with it. Steak? Sure. Hair loss pills? Probably not. The fancier the food, the more glee there is in knowing the government has once again helped in enabling a lavish lifestyle. In some cases, it might even help them enjoy foods that were too expensive to buy when they were employed!
Tags: endless unemployment benefits, food stamps, on the government
Copyright © 2012 Stuff Unemployed People Like All rights reserved. Amazing Grace theme by
HAHA!
I’ve often wondered if yuppies or soon-to-be yuppies like myself that have fallen victim to their companies axe have walked into Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and attempted to buy premium, organic groceries with food stamps!
Americans sure have a strange view of the world.
Upon hearing of the prospect of receiving food stamp benefits, i felt a little dirty. Especially because I am not unemployed; I am an Americorps volunteer, and the meager living stipend that i get every month does not count as ‘real’ income, so in the eyes of the law i work full time and do not get paid. What this means is that I get $170 a month that i must spend on food. When added to my total income, this extra money brings my total hourly wage to around 9.25 an hour. This does not really seem like an unreasonable amount of money to make, but it has the side effect of forcing me to spend all $170 on food. And so far I haven’t found a way to spend it all. With this money I’m eating better than ever – all organic produce, free range eggs and meats, locally baked bread. So yes…Whole Foods and Trader Joes are standard. This is not to say that I am buying the 39.99 jar of pistachio butter. However, i can go relatively nuts and STILL not come close to spending the money. Also, people can spend their food stamp benefits on things like seeds and garden starts, so anyone with a garden can multiply the benefits by growing food themselves. Maybe I should feel bad, but I don’t. I feel wealthy. I’m certainly not saving for my future. If I was getting a straight 9.25 an hour wage, i would be behaving very differently. But this is not the case. So i will continue to enjoy organic milk in my fair trade coffee. And wait in quiet fear for the day that they take my food stamps away.
wowwwwwww
We became eligible for food stamps when my husband started medical school, and our second child turned out to be twins. I’m staying home with our kids while we live off student loans. We needed to use food stamps because our family was taking out the maximum loan amount and still not making ends meet. As it is, we’ll be paying off loans for about 30 years- even on a doctor’s income.
The first month we used the benefits, I shopped like usual- buying the bare essentials on sale with coupons, and a treat for the weekend. I thought it seemed dishonest for the government to pay for my icecream, and actually seperated it with the bar from the rest of my groceries. When the checker found out that the icecream was also mine, she went to add it to the rest of the groceries, and I told her I’d be paying for it. She asked why and I explained in as low a voice as possible- not only had she attracted the attention of the people behind me, but a couple of people from the line next to me were watching. Then she started laughing, called over to her friend walking by, yelled to her what I was trying to do, and proceeded to put it with the rest.
I’ve been on food stamps for three years now, one more to go.
I’ve bought all sorts of healthy food with foods stamps, and all sorts of desserts. We don’t drink alcohol, but I can imagine if I was buying the stuff during a grocery trip, I wouldn’t try to seperate it. I decided the healthiest (and least embarassing) way to use food stamps would be to buy as if I’m still the one paying for this stuff. That way it won’t be a shock when my husband gets into residency and starts making about $11 an hour, and I have to feed a family of six on an even smaller food budget than the voting/tax-paying citizens have given us.
I worked full time for ten years before going on food stamps. I’m still working hard trying to raise responsible, intelligent, and compassionate children.
My impression of word “welfare” has changed drastically. Not everyone is abusing the system. And for people like us- it has been a saving grace we thank God for every night. (And the other myth I’d like to blow out of the water- not all docs are in it for the money.)
Here’s an idea:
If your husband wants to go to med school, that’s fine. Stop having the crotchfruit though. I’m single with no kids and would love to go back to school, I guess I’ll keep working so you can do whatever it is you do.
You people are so f***ed and you don’t even know it. Reading all this makes me seriously fear for the fututre of our society.
If you want to go back to school, then do it. It would be a better use of your time than trolling at the computer.
Maybe I could feel compassion for you if you paid back the system for your food stamp usage once you finished the medical program.You stupid twit.
When I was in AmeriCorps, I had people I knew use it at Whole Foods for the fancy cheese.
LOL, this post was entertaining. It always makes me think of the person who declines a job to instead stay home and collect food stamps.
First time visitor to your blog. I found the link through Blog Catalog when I was doing some research on one of my own posts.
This is how crazy people can get. “As long as I can get away with it” seems to be the mantra of many people. Hello, anybody in there? You’re on food stamps, meaning you’re trying to save money. Not that you can’t live a lavish lifestyle, just not now. The recession isn’t the proper time for it.
I totes bought a bottle of Acqua Panna yesterday with what little money I have in my checking account. You called me on that!
Rachel that can not be true Whole Foods does NOT except Food Stamps as form of payment.
Whole Foods does accept food stamps as a form of payment and I would much rather see someone using them there, than buying the jumbo pack of snicker’s ice cream bars at the regular grocery, as I often do. Here in Michigan. where 1 in 8 is on food stamps, you can also pay the $.10 per can/bottle deposit on soda with food stamps. Then, you can return the cans and bottles to the store for cash. Nice, eh?
What makes you so sure that Whole Foods DOES NOT except FS? Hate to break it to ya hun, they most certainly do!
Everyone else, let me get this straight? If someone loses their job and has to get on food stamps you want them to stop eating healthy, organic food??
NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE A GOD-GIVEN RIGHT! Who are you people??!!
That is what I’m saying! I don’t eat organic because it’s a LAVISH LIFESTYLE, I do it because I made it a part of my life! I ate like this before I HAD to apply for food stamps. If you all want to eat over processed and pesticides on your food and pay $0.68 for them, than GO FOR IT!! Its your early grave, not mine. I’m sorry that I want to have a healthy body both inside and out and if I have to pay an extra 50 cents for it, SO BE IT! If anything I think the rest of you are all F***ED in the head. This is why our country is so FAT!!!!! So you can take your kraft macaroni, campbells soup, toxic fruit eating crap and shove it! Why do you think people get cancer these days! A lot of it has to do with the junk they eat!! You all need to wake up! If you are on food stamps and you eat organic, there is no reason why you can’t use that money to continue to eat healthy.
Can you please blow the cigarette smoke elsewhere? I can smell a smoker a mile away.Expensive little boogers aren’t they? Good Good thing the food is free.
Why all the fuss over paying a little extra to eat organic & healthier? If people take care of their bodies now (even with the help of the tax payers), then their long term healthcare will be less expensive. So, to the people complaining about people eating healthy now…why would I want to pay for your long term healthcare later because you didn’t take care of yourself? People go through hard times. You’ve never needed help? Anyway, I am blown away by the ignorance on this thread.
One more thing, this does not mean that I condone the abuse of the welfare system. It infuriates me. But if I gave a friend $10, I would feel better knowing they bought something healthy with it that may cost more, than knowing they went to McDonalds.
Ya I am intrested to know if whole foods accepts food stamps I have a child with multipul food allergies and he requires special products that are not avalible at common “food stamp” stores and his doctor recomended going organic. My husband works full time but we still get some help with food. Just because people are poor does that mean we don’t deserve to eat well?
You can eat simply and still eat well.
yes. whole foods does take it as a form of payment. I do all of my shopping there because there is no cheaper co-op or alternative to buy bulk foods or organic produce with food stamps, which I need to make ends meet and try to save money at the same time. I am employed and work 50+ hours a week, and without the $200 to pay for all of my food, I would have a hard time saving any money…and I don’t spend anything on myself. Just food, my car and soap.
If you are in a situation where you cannot afford to buy your food, you might rethink your savings. It hardly seem fair for others to be taxed to pay for your food, at the expense of THEIR savings, while you save and then eat on THEIR dime. Looney.
Penny, your arguments might be more convincing if you’d stop the name calling.(They’re not, anyway, but they might be)
Seriously, where is your compassion? We all pay into the welfare system because, one day, we might all be in the same situation and need the same kind of support. Things happen that we can’t control, and today’s taxpayers may very well need to apply for the welfare programs that they helped to pay for while they were paying taxes. And when they no longer need the help, they get off those programs, start paying taxes again, and pay back into the system that helped support them. I mean, Jesus, Stephanie (the one you called a ‘stupid twit’?)’s husband is going to be a *doctor*. You say they should “pay back the system” once they get off food stamps–well, what on earth do you think is going to happen? I don’t know if you know this, but doctors are usually taxpayers.
Are there people who abuse the system? Of course there are, and that’s the case for everything. But there are legitimate reasons for programs like food stamps to exist, and telling everyone who is on them to “get off the taxpayers dollar” because “clearly you’re doing something wrong” is just disingenuous. I know you think this is just impossible and could never happen, but you might need to be on food stamps one day. You don’t know.. crazier things have happened. That’s why welfare exists, to be a safety net. For everyone. Your selfishness and disregard for fellow human beings is disturbing to me.
The whole foods I work at definently excepts food stamps. Which would make me assume they all do.
what difference does it make if you’re getting the money anyways and(sort of) need it? what difference does it make if someone on food stamps buys fancy cheese instead of bread and jiffy peanut butter, because they’re on food stamps anyways, so they’re either going to be spending it on bread and jiffy peanut butter or free-range eggs. What real difference does it make to you, the tax-payer? at the end of the month, they still paid the same amount on groceries, who cares if the actual groceries were different?
Truely you are correct. The fastest way to get some of these moochers off the dole is a stroke or heart attack. Unkie Sam knows EXACTLY what they are doing. LOL!!!!
Why would Whole Foods not accept food stamps? They are a full service grocery store with high quality, nutritious, organic food to sell. Do you think food stamp recipients are forcibly limited to only poor-quality, non-nutrituous food?
I am an unemployed former Advertising Executive. I am also a current food stamp recipient. Both my son and I are fructose intolerant which means we can’t eat anything with stuff like high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners in it. It is very frustrating trying to grocery shop at a conventional grocery store. Go to your pantry and look at some of your food, items that you would not expect to have high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient, items like bread, crackers, frozen pizza, salad dressings, sauces, mustard and so many other things. As a result to keep me and my son healthy (especially now that we have not medical insurance) I buy good quality, minimally processed foods. That doesn’t make me a bad person. Everyone should have access to high quality, affordable foods. If you do some research you’ll find most of the food you’re putting in your mouth is full of chemicals and engineered food-like substances. And we wonder why life expectancy is dropping for the first time and why obesity is becoming an epidemic! Oh and one might argue that the junk we’re feeding ourselves and our children is also contributing to our soaring healthcare costs.
It is truly deplorable that some people here feel that someone who has obviously demonstrated a need and is eligible for food stamps does not deserve to eat healthy or nutritious food. EVERYONE should be eating healthy, organic food! That’s not “fancy” food that’s just real food.
What is appalling is the processed junk that these mainstream companies and supermarket chains are selling to us and claiming it’s food!
I completely agree with Jay. Many people with food stamps fill their carts with sodas and processed junk, which I don’t understand, really. I buy unhealthy processed food when I am employed at a low-paying job and that’s all I can afford. I just got food stamps and went on a Trader Joe’s spree. I have to admit, though, that I got a kick out of buying lime-flavored sparkling water.
[...] food, but I do on food stamps. I get more with food stamps than I ever spent on food when I worked. I don’t buy cheap junk either. Sorry, Republicans. I guess this makes me a socialist bum. Go ahead and heckle. At my last job, I [...]
You poor thing. Can you have a baby? If you do you can qualify for Wic, HUD, Medicaid, food banks, energy assistance…. you know…. the full meal deal( So to speak)You can’t quite make Socialist bum at the rate you are going.( If the baby is out of wedlock, you can move up th SB ranks even quicker.) Wishing you everything you DESERVE sweet cheeks!
My family and I also receive food stamps. My husband works, but like many others, his income simply isn’t enough. Until I can return to work (I’m pregnant) we needed a little help. The amount of food stamp money we were given seemed ridiculous to me at first, we’d gone so long cutting corners and stretching higher-cost items like meat and dairy. While I did my best to steer clear of cheap boxed junk, there were also many healthy items we couldn’t afford either – avocados, organic eggs etc. Now I am able to shop with nutrition my first priority, not money. We still have yet to spend all the money we’re given each month, but we eat a lot better.
Actually shopping for truly healthy food is the entire point. When I was in community college I could only work part time and i could not get food stamps (not that I tried, students are not usually aloud). Sufficed to say, after utilities and rent, all I had left for food was 20 dollars a week. Trust me eating generic mac and cheese is not healthy, but that is pretty much all I had to eat for 2 years.
To spite the fact that I was working-out daily I gained over 20 pounds all because of what I was forced to eat. Not to mention the negative effects cheap food has on your mental focus. Most of cheap food is not healthy to spite what it might say on the label.
What it comes down to is that I would much rather see a healthy person buying sensible, not ritzy, but truly healthy organic food at whole foods then to see some tub of lard buying cheap soda and fatty foods at wal-mart.
I’ve been to many sites and seen that many people are angered when people receive food stamps (now known as SNAP). I graduated from a four year university just as the “great recession” hit. I have applied for at least one job a day (usually more, 4 or 5, including part time), since around June of 2008. I have experience and am fluent in more than two languages. In all of this time I have been on one interview. ONE. Then I was informed through the mail that the department could not hire anyone because of lack of funds (it was a state funded job).
I am receiving food stamps. I waited as long as I could, then applied this August. Does anyone think I really want to whip out a link card whenever I go grocery shopping? I would love not to need it but I do and I’m sure that 90% or the people who receive assistance actually need it. Sure there are those who scam the system. But look around, there are food pantries that can’t help people because no one is donating to them. Charities are going bankrupt.
I have no money (literally like $1.37 in my bank account to keep it from being the negative), no medical/dental insurance (so I’m basically a walking, talking time bomb), and so far no prospects. I have the emails to prove my job submissions. All of the responsibilities of paying the bills are left to my mother (who I am ever thankful for). She has had to pay our living expenses, any medical attention I need, any medications I need, my student loans (they only defer repayment for so many months), her own expenses, credit cards, utilities, et cetera.
Before I applied for food assistance we were barely making it. Now we’re just making it. People need to stop being judgmental and think about the fact that their tax money could be funding worse thing or nothing at all. I didn’t ask, nor did I want, nor was I proud to have to apply for assistance. I worked hard for my education and was ready and willing to work for my share.
So the next time anyone decides to bad mouth every person applying for or already receiving food stamps they should think of me. I didn’t ask for any of this. I wanted what everyone wants, an education, a good job, and a future. Right now…it just feels like failure.
Is McDonalds hitring? Take it, if it is all that is offered to you.If you still are eligible for food stamps then so be it, but at least you will be working.If you are turing down these types of jobs then yes, you are a failure. And lazy.
here here Anonymous! Here is another spin on it all. I’ve worked full time for the last 41 years; both as an employee and as an independent contractor. Thus I’ve paid taxes and social security through payroll deductions and through self employment taxes. My business is down to zero income, I’ve got no insurance, maxed out on any credit with no immediate means to make the minimum payments, the mortgage is delinquent as are the utilities. I just finished applying to yet another dozen jobs, something I do every day. I’ve been in sales the last 16 years so I am still making sales calls. Tomarrow AM, after a sales call I am going to the dept. of soc. services to apply for food stamps. Time permitting I am then going to the utility assistance office. Its about 36 outside and I’ve got the heat turned off. Blankets and fingerless gloves are keeping me comfortable. The internet access is also delinguent and I need that for my existing sales and job search. Frankly, I will not need all of the money I qualify for food stamps. I can do with less. It would be a novel idea to be able to use the food stamp allotment toward a utility bill. Right or wrong, I’ll not feel like it is a service due me or that it is a “hand out” I should get as a citizen of the US; but rather that it is something that I have paid for over and over again for over 41 years.
I don’t know any hard working men or women who have worked 41 years and paid into the system who would accept food stamps. They would rather eat gruel first. But then, I am an old broad who loves gruel that I earned and made myself.
I have no problem with Mee Too or others who genuinely need assistance. I DO have a problem with people who scam the system. I know a girl who pays $13 per month in rent and gets food stamps. Her kids father lives with her ilegally. He’s an electrician and makes well over $1000 per week. I get ZERO assistance because I’m legally married and work full time. I also have a problem with how these people spend their food stamps. I work in a grocery store and Food Stamp Day is the worst day of the month by far. While I’m living off the cheapest store brand food I can find- cutting coupons, watching every penny- these people are buying bacon wrapped scallops, lobster, bags of candy,decorated full sheet cakes from the bakery, starbucks coffeebeans, chocolate truffles, multiple packs of soda, and filet mignon. My entire grocery budget for the week is $40 for 3 people. To top it off, half the people don’t have enough on their cards to pay so they have to put stuff back. What do they put back? The milk. The eggs. The juice. The chicken breast. The cheese. What do they choose to keep? The pizza. The soda. The candy. The gosh darn bon bons!!!! This money is supposed to be for healthy food for the family yet it looks like they are buying for a super bowl party. I’m working my but off and paying taxes so lazy people can live a lifestyle they have no business living! It’s so frustrating! (It’s almost enough to make a girl quit her job to stay home and collect food stamps). To those who’ve said they overspend because the state gives them more than they need: why don’t you pass up the filet mignon this month and donate some canned goods to a shelter. Or better yet, contact the state and let them know you don’t need quite so much assistance!!!!
A quick response to Aldeanne: I don’t know what state you’re living in, but my state (CA) has a welfare fraud department for every county agency. If you know people are commiting crime (and not just inferring it) you should report it. You’re right, it’s not fair for people to take advantage of the system like that.
HOWEVER, you’ll find that THE MAJORITY of people on food stamps really need to be on them. I think you’ve got the wrong idea about the people using this form of assistance, and I’m coming to this conclusion by your quote which states “I’m working my but[sic] off and paying taxes so lazy people…” People on food stamps =/= lazy, and it’s unfortunate that you believe that. I do think you make a good point about people who have money left over needing to consider donating canned goods to their local food pantry. I know I barely have enough (but I try to eat organic/fair-trade/local) with the money I get, but when I do have money left over, I make sure to donate.
Aldeanne, I know I know I am months late, but I say this out of love and kindness, out of all the posts I read here [and I read them all] yours disturbed me the most. You work in a grocery store and are passing judgment over the very customers you need to keep the store you work in open so that you can keep your job…how about that? I do not believe you know any of the people you describe as ‘scamming the system’ [and if you do that makes you a gosssip]. I believe you [and the other posts by the way] are just angry over the dismal direction life has taken. And I AGREE things are pretty bad for us all and that includes those of us on food stamps. My only advise is to ‘try’ to stop imagining that your neighbor’s life is sooo much better because they are receiving, of all things, food stamps. That is way too much negative baggage to carry for other people. Try to focus on what you need to make your life better. And don’t think you get a ‘good-guy’ pass for that ‘donate to a shelter’ statement. Why would a person on food stamps buy food to donate to a shelter… shouldn’t they just go live in the shelter and eat free? Jealousy is evil. Jealousy of people on food stamps is a mental defect and disease.
I think if you know someone scamming the system and you do not report it you are a rotten citizen, not a gossip.If you know someone screwing the foodstamp program, report it. You will have done your civic duty, and you will save the taxpayer the extra expense of supporting crooks. Plus , you will feel better.
I believe this is absolutely ridiculous. While one person works thier butt off another is just waiting in line so they can recieve their “luxury” food stamps and recieve basically whatever they want off them. Our government has done this so the less fortunate can have a common life, not to ruin the system and the rest of the taxpayers money. To all the adults, this is time for you to grow up and be more responsible with your life, and not abuse this power.
Not everyone’s a scammer.
Never say never!
It’s easier to judge people when you haven’t been through it. It’s a hit to your pride to apply to get help (when you could make it on your own for years with no problem! Remember we’re a country built on individualism and being able to make it on your is the best!) and everytime you swipe your card you feel uncomfortable, then you remember to be grateful there is such a system.
Thank God not everyone has to go through it.
Hope the situation improves but for now, it’s teaching us all a bit of sympathy and compassion we did not know before because of our financial security. We must deal with the present, and let go of the past, and hope for a better future for everyone.
I have a four year degree in education. When going for my masters, I had to take a class about poverty stricken families. It was difficult to take a class on something that I live with everyday. Because my husband and I were working, we could receive food assistance. But it has been like that with almost everything. The mortgage company wouldn’t help us with our mortgage until we were at least 6 months delinquent. Now that we are a year and a half behind in our mortgage, and both have been victims of this stupid recession/ depression, we finally were able to get a modification for our mortgage, state health insurance, and finally some food assistance. More assistance than what I would normally spend on a family of four. Am I going to go shopping now and not worry about penny pinching? Am I going to quit seeing if I can make an entire dinner for four for less that $5? Yes, I’m finally going to get to concentrate on giving my children a more nutritious diet. I already fix everything from scratch because it actually is cheaper to do it that way. I am not ashamed to give my kids the nutrition they need. If I could do it with out the government, I would. While there are some scammers, the majority are not.
Just a note for those who judge…Like many other posters here I graduated with a B.F.A. and my husband with a M.F.A. We’re artists. We have 2 children. We work A LOT! We give to the community through art A LOT. Yet, the local arts council gives us $500 for the year. We just started receiving food stamps.
Last week (with no food stamps) we basically ate bread and cheese at every meal because that’s all we had left and we couldn’t afford to buy more until next paycheck.
Think of it this way: No we don’t make money, but we work, we give back. The government just doesn’t see the value and ticket sales and donations just don’t cut it.
Plus doesn’t every human being on the planet deserve to eat pesticide-free, healthy food?
I am a thief. At night, I sneak into your homes and take. If I didn’t, I could afford anything but bread and cheese. I don’t make money, but I work stealing. I give back to society with the money I steal.No one sees the value in what I do.But, since I think everyone deserves better than basic bread and cheese, I am justified in my behavior.
I am a single female in my early thirties living in NYC. I have been working since the age of fifteen and have paid taxes all my life. I lost my job in November and all I was left with was $1500 – I am currently behind on my rent (three months now) had to go to court and was given until the second week of march to pay off my hefty debt to my landlord, I have to also make feb and march rent payments on time or I will face eviction.
I enrolled in school which I paid for myself with the money earn from my previous job. I have been trying to get a job for months now, but nothing. I am seriously considering going to apply for public healthcare and food stamps. I am so ashamed and embarrased to have to go this route, but how else will I survive?
So please stop knocking the people that have to do this because of a life changing event that has left them in poverty. I went from living a fantastic life, personal training at one of the cities most premier gyms, dinners at some of manhattan’s most exclusive restaurants, gourmet meals cooked at home, cabs to and from the different places I visit, shopping sprees at barneys or bloomies. It is not easy having to face my reality. Sad and I know it is only temporary.
Maybe you can clean house or cook for some of your former high falutin friends?Or would that type of work be beneath you?
i am on food stamps and i buy perrier and ice cream and shop at Whole Food and have felt guilty at times about it. Food means different things to different people. But we know this: It is essential for nourishment and well-being. The emotional aspect of eating is apparent every single time we eat. Simply the act of putting something in our bodies is a comfort that all people need to stay not only physically healthy but also to remain sane and calm while going through economic turmoil (which everyone on food stamps is going through unless they are lying). I think that it should be up to the individual to decide what and where to go to fill those physical as well as emotional needs.
Exercise is good for emotional stress. Try it, instead of eating. You will save tax dollars and enjoy better health.
My family is another casuality of the current economy. My husband and I have degrees, but no jobs! We are currently on food stamps and completely embarrassed by it. We have 2 small children an overdue mortgage and late utility bills. We have 2 old, paid off cars. We have no Credit Card debt. We were doing things the “right” way, yet here we are. We have little to no income currently and receive 400 dollars per month in food stamp benefits. We never have enough left? A two year old and six year old definitely require healthy food. Especially since they have major food allergies. Judge not, because you NEVER no what tomorrow may bring.
You are SUPPOSED to feel embarrassed at receiving food stamps! Why would you get off them if there was no shame? Hell, everyone would be on them!
I wanted to offer a different viewpoint. I am currently a student and am thus not eligible for food stamps. Unless I already have a job at graduation I plan to go on food stamps as soon as possible. I don’t agree with a system that can so easily be taken advantage of, but as long as its there I want to be on of the people abusing it. Free food! Why wouldn’t I take that?? I’m going to buy a whole cart of candy and ice cream too.
You could shack up with a Welfare Queenie.Then you can double dip into the foodstamp program.plus, the Welfare Queenie can teach you the game from experience. I said ” Go, Go Go Little Queenie.” Love that REO.
It is nothing wrong with trying to provide healthy food for your kids. It is something wrong with feeling you have to have only the best at the tax payers expense. I know a couple who were feeding four kids and themselves on much less than 100.00 a month. They ate very healthy, meatless a few times a week and without government assistance. This family was very careful with their money. They saved by doubling and tripling coupons and by watching the ads every week. Sometimes they could get their items free! They did not shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joes but they bought the best they could afford. Each one of their four children are grown now and healthy. Attention! You can buy organic at regular grocery stores. If you or your child have food allergies buy what you have to at Whole Foods. Get the rest at a regular gro store. It is ridiculous to buy all of your gro. at Whole Foods when you can buy lots of items such as Haagen-Dazs ice cream and many organic foods at a cheaper grocery store. Are some of you afraid some of your friends might see you at Harris Teeter or something? If you don’t need all the money on your card you get every month be honest and tell your social worker. Don’t bilk the taxpayers.
People that don’t use all their foodstamps don’t give them back. They sell them.
This just pains me seeing this article. I know people have a right to eat right, which I hope they do when they receive food stamps, but some of these young, healthy single people getting food stamps when the gov won’t even give my dad or other seniors who are disabled seniors any at all is just so wrong.
I am wondering what ever happened to the “Victory gardens” or bartering system we used to have during the last great depression. The pride of making something out of nothing. Well if any of you are interested there is a set of videos from a lady who tells how to prepare food during the great depression & tells some great storys.
“Clare” she is awesome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuMkW35BwK8
You are one sexy hot man!You understand the concept of hard work- shocking!!!!! I say give the food stamps to the elderly and disabled, NOT able bodied citizens. And take off your shirt while you work.Kiss, Kiss!!!!!!!!!
You just never know the reason behind a person needing financial assistance. We never needed any assistance until I got sick and had to leave a well paying (even though it was part-time) job. I was pregnant at the time and ended up having my baby very early. We had health insurance but it only paid for so much. It got to a point that at the end of the month we had to decide whether to feed our 2 year old or pay a bill.
We now have food stamps and are in the same mind set we were when we had to make difficult choices when it came to eating. We have spent a lot of it on non-perishable food items because we are so scared we may lose it. I don’t think everyone feels this way, and I’m sure some people abuse it.
We still don’t buy candy or junk food. We buy a lot more meats a diary products now that we can afford it. I doubt that I will ever go to Whole foods to buy 10.00 a pound ground beef, because we try to stretch it out as much as possible. The money is going to be spent anyways- It’s obviously better to buy healthy foods, but I think some people are getting a little carried away.
I’m tired of hearing self-rightious people blathering about “Their” tax money buying my food stamps. I worked all my 60 year life and paid taxes, so as far as I am concerned, I’ve paid for my food stamps and the right to claim them myself. If you are so blinded by your mean-natured self, then I feel sorry for you! However, I sure as heck would feed you if you were hungry!
You are a poor old man. No one begrudges you food stamps.
My husband was just demoted at his job because he refused to work for free. He had already worked 208 hours without any pay(we kept track), and has never received overtime. He worked one on one with the owner of a multi-million dollar small business who has more than enough money to pay him. However when he refused to work a full day for free, when he finally put his foot down and requested to be compensated (his normal wage, not even overtime, and he would regularly work 60+ hours a week) the owner came up with a bogus reason for him to lose his management position and 1/3 of his salary. We are a family of 6. I am a stay-at-home mom to four children ages 4,3,2,1. All I ever wanted to do in life was be a mom, and I never finished my four-year degree, so that’s pretty much all I can get hired to do. Sure I could go work at the mall or a restaurant, but would that pay for childcare for 4 kids? My husband has a new job, but since his career is based on clientele he needs a few months to build his income back up.
We were just approved for foodstamps today since he is only guaranteed $1000 a month (basically minimum wage). We figure it will probably take us 3 months to get back up to where we were. Luckily our church and families are helping us pay bills that we can’t afford (and this all happened within the past few weeks which is why our internet is still connected).
Our plan is to continue shopping how we normally do ($800 a month including diapers for 3 kids, night time pull ups for 1 kid, and formula for one), since we can’t buy anything but food items and our food stamp allotment is actually more than our past budget, we plan on stocking up on can goods, frozen foods, spices, and things to make more food like bread etc from scratch, that way once we no longer have food stamps we will have a good food storage system so if anything happened in the future, maybe we would not need to use food stamps again.
We would love to buy things like lobster, but we worry too much about coming to the point of needing food and having to call our families again. All I can say is, grocery shopping one week at a time when you have nothing in your pantry is not a good idea
I am a college student who is completely on her own paying a 30000 tuition a year. I work so hard I have a scholarship for my grades and soccer am a full time student an have 2 jobs through the school.. it is a little frustrating when some of my fellow students don’t try near as hard as I do an still get full benefits.. some even lie and also get full benefits.. I am lucky I get 140 a month an am very very thankful.. but sometimes I consider lying so I could get da full amount an try and store food.. but my conscious just wont let me.. I’m to scared to get caught.. but I’m definitely going to feed my body the healthy food it deserves
The longer you are on the program, the less you will worry about getting caught. Before long you will be lying through your teeth with a totally straight face.
I am stunned and amazed at some of the attitudes displayed here. Nutrition is a matter of information. Is it possible that the government and diet gurus have kept us so confused about what is and is not good for us, not to mention the out-and-out lies, that some people believe it’s all okay? Hey, the FDA wouldn’t actually approve crap like carcinogenic aspertame, hormone infused meat, and a million other toxins in our food, would they? Not to mention the food addictions that keep people buying stuff the may know is bad for them, but oooooh high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fats! Yum….
And aren’t we a lot better off feeding our needy neighbors? Or perhaps having them steal from us so they can feed their kids is a better idea! Talk about kicking a guy when he’s down!
Americans are a proud people for the most part, and believe me, when you apply for food stamps, it feels like begging for a handout no matter how much you paid in taxes. Standing in line at the grocery with that little blue card is painful when you can see the others in line checking out what you are buying. They don’t inspect other people’s groceries, just yours.
Insisting on glycemic indexing on our food (like Australia), changing a lot of food processing laws, and cutting each other some slack sounds a hell of a lot better than some of the bashing we are doing.
First of all, let me say I am disabled and a newlywed. I have a very strict diet, that unfortunately means I have to eat a lot of seafood in a land-locked state. It’s difficult to get variety that doesn’t get pricey. Also, as far as food stamps go- “fancy” food isn’t that fancy if your tastes stem that way. For example: a block of processed jack cheese at my local supermarket costs 6 dollars. an 8 oz. wheel of brie costs five, and it tastes better. Just saying. I am also sick and tired if people saying you don’t need food stamps if you eat certain products. Literally will have my intestines shut down if I eat the wrong thing.
Let me guess…. you have Fibromyalgia. Heard this story a million times. Boring.
You do realize in almost all states you have to WORK OFF your food stamps. You just don’t get them for free. You have to participate in earnfare, which requires you work off the value of your food stamps with community service programs or at an actual job. Places like Walgreens and Avon are big on this. Many of their workers work there for their food stamps. You work the value of the food stamps at minimum wage (for your state). So most people on food stamps are actually WORKING FOR THEM. You also can work at community service, like restocking books at libraries or cleaning up parks. There are a few exceptions, like people with small kids who have no babysitters or if your too sick or over a certain age (ranges from age 50 to 60, depending on state laws)
This is a GREAT idea! Not sure which states you are talking about. But honestly, if you have no children and cannot feed yourself, you have issues.(Does not apply to elderly or disabled.)If you have small children and no babysitter and are eligible for foodstamps, most likely you are eligible for a babysitting service.Most choose to sit home.After all, it is hard work parenting the children you brought into the world.
Wow. This debate kind of makes me laugh. I am a youth minister who works for an organization that reaches out to inner city kids. Everyone on my team gets paid $500 a month, plus our organization pays our rent. Five of us share a tiny three-bedroom apartment. On that salary, applying for food stamps was a necessity. Just because someone doesn’t look “poor” doesn’t mean they don’t need assistance. I’ve always paid my taxes and unlike some people who comment here, I know how much of my tax dollars go to food stamps, and it’s not much (around 3 cents out of every dollar). I am not going to give up eating healthy food and start buying ramen and cheese whiz just because I use the SNAP card. There is a huge obesity problem in this country and it is partly due to the consumption of processed food. I don’t understand why people are okay with a mother with five children using her food stamps to buy kool-aid and chicken nuggets and frozen pizzas, but get upset when they see a single person using it to buy real food.
People are disgusted when they see a mother with food stamps buying nothing but junk for the kids because they know you do not have to spend a fortune to feed a family well. One bag of potatoes vs one bag of Doritos.Junk food is a quick easy fix. It tastes good, and the more you eat , the more you want.People are annoyed when they see a single able bodied person using foodstamps.They see it as a matter of self respect. Work a second job.
I am 45 years old and have been working since age 12. Sometimes, even as many as three jobs at a time, but even with one job, I never worked less than 65 hours a week and usually 100. A prior job contributed to my declining health, and I lost my insurance 8 years ago. The doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. It took me over two decades and my life savings to get a diagnosis, and my medications alone cost me more than any food benefit. After losing my home (I am currently homeless living out of my car), selling off what possessions I could, bartering where I could, I finally broke down and applied for assistance. I wish I had done it a long time ago.
I was denied and financial assistance because I don’t have children, and was denied FS because there were racist idiots working at the office. I went to a different office to appeal, and got my food stamp card and health coverage (only to find out my meds aren’t covered.) Oh, the the racism is against whites in my area, so yes, it exists in every population against every race (and ironically, I am actually mixed race but they have no check box for that so I was forced to select “white” and the Hispanic case workers and office staff felt that was enough to disqualify me.) Why do they even ask race? It is as though the forms are set to discriminate from the start depending on what race that particular state and/or office finds acceptable. Yes, I can prove it and yes, I am filing a complaint. When I went to the office that had workers of all races (Hispanic, African American, Caucasian, Asian, etc.) I was immediately approved. I simply asked, if I am not eligible in my dire situation, than who could possibly be?
Anyway, I have paid in taxes ten times over anything I will get, and yes, I will shop at WF, TJ as well as Farmer’s Markets and 99 cent stores that carry organic food (you would be surprised how many do.) I eat very healthy because I HAVE TO, due to my medical condition. I don’t drink or smoke, don’t drink soda, buy candy, etc. I also have bargain shopped my whole life. TJ and WH do have bargains when you know how to shop right. I would match up my eating habits against anyone commenting here…it isn’t about buying expensive stuff, it is about buying HEALTHY food that is good for you and doesn’t make you sicker.
Yes, people do abuse the system. I live near the border and we have thousands getting benefits who shouldn’t, plus if you have kids you are eligible for so much more than childless people (they won’t even help with job assistance which seems ridiculous). However, even those folks who are gaming it in that regard I don’t blame…the cause it our “leaders” in each state and in Washington who want to exploit human labor rather than pay living wages so the very few can get very wealthy off the many.
I cried the first day I applied, but after getting very sick this past month not being able to eat (sometimes three days at a time without food, sometimes begging people on the street, other times getting food from the food bank which I couldn’t eat because I have gluten intolerance and they don’t have enough fresh fruits and veggies), I finally just accepted it. I have always paid my taxes and given tons to charities. Guess what? Now the tables are turned and this is about the best use of tax dollars I can think of versus all the corporate welfare we give to billionaires every year.
Maybe if we cracked down on white collar crime or our corrupt officials in Congress, so many of us that are broke and broken would not be where we are. We gave over a trillion $ in bank bailouts so they could spend $1 million on redecorating their offices and huge bonuses. Yeah, a law abiding citizen who never ripped people off in my life deserves a little cash to eat to survive. If you want to gripe, focus on the real crooks. Even the illegals and criminals gaming the system are minor compared to the theft of our treasury by US corporations.
I also found that people who think of themselves as giving and compassionate, are the exact opposite. If even one person who I GAVE, not even loaned, thousands of dollars to in the past even loaned me $500, it would have prevented me from being homeless. This very negative experience I am currently living has been an eye opening experience.
I never judged people on food stamps, even when I knew people who didn’t really need it. I always knew there were a lot more who did and do need it…many who don’t even apply for years like I didn’t.
So, while I know someone who gets close to $100K tax free of our tax dollars and based on the way she treats her kids, really shouldn’t have it, I also know there are thousands who desperately need the bare minimum they get just to survive. I can’t wait to use my FS for the first time and to buy healthy veggies I have not been able to eat for weeks. I can’t wait to not have to go to bed hungry. I still have to worry about transportation (gas money, car repairs) and how to pay for my meds while job hunting, but one step at a time.
I think that some people shouldn’t be able to even speak…let alone comment on interent positngs. It just shows your ignorance when you want to talk down about someone else…when you have no idea what situations they are going through or facing! I am a single mother of two who works full time and I also attend school full time! I recieve government assitance because I have to in order to be able to provide for my family! I am only eligible for food stamps due to the fact that I do work. I was denied TANF because I have a job…to me that doesn’t make sense. The state is willing to pay people to sit on their a** but isn’t willing to help a single mother of 2 pay rent. If you got off the internet and stopped running your mouth and let’s say went to church or just thanked God for the blessings that you do have in your life maybe you would be blessed and wouldn’t be such a bitter person. I am on the path to become a person who impacts and changes the world for the better…so what if I have to get a little help in my mission to get there…what will you be doing 10 years from now? Let me guess still sitting alone in front of the computer trying to put other people down in order to make yourself feel better. You are all pittifull excuses for human beings…get a life! Maybe if you weren’t such a judgemental and ignorant person you would be a lot happier!! Eat that!
I can understand how you feel. I do not sense that anyone has put you down! You are working and going to school. The program was meant as a hand up. Stop fussing . No one is throwing the rotten tomatoes at you.
G, you’re so right on when you say, “Judge not because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”I’m a teacher…have been for 12 years…lost my job in a small town due to the “budget cutbacks” and having recently moved here I was not tenured. Found myself on FS and yes, certainly embarrassed, make sure to look around so I don’t see anyone I know, shop at odd hours…even my boyfriend doesn’t know! It is a humiliating situation to be in, but I have four children and recently divorced from a deadbeat dad. (For those of you critics against having multiple children I was well able to afford them before losing my job and will always make sure to take care of them)! Who knew as a teacher I would someday be unemployed?? Anyway, to those of you self righteous…I used to be too…looking down my nose at FS users in front of me at the store…but God has a mighty way of humbling the most proud of us! His word say, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I’ve seen many a haughty spirit fall…you may think you’d NEVER…but you’d be stupid to choose to let your children go without food in favor of your pride!
i loved this post so much.
my best friend and i just moved out of our parents’ houses and into a problematic duplex in a nice neighborhood of our town.
we have the shittiest jobs of all time, each getting somewhere between 4 and 14 hours per week, each. we were pretty quick to get to the food stamp office and apply. i got mine that day. she got hers a few days later. now, we each get $200 per month. which is so much more than we know what to do with. lolz.
she usually ends up getting a bunch of red bull..
we get organic food, lactose-free milk, ben and jerry’s…
one of the first thoughts that came to me when i got mine was “hey, i could start a cake business with this money and lose nothing!” i’m probably going to end up doing that, seeing as how i’m going to be getting an extra $200 every month for the next year.
your post was hilarious.
No , you cannot start a cake business with food stamp money. Wouldn’t you feel foolish reporting the income, which all honest FS recipients do? They would then cut your food stamps. Sheesh.
Isn’t it sad that we even argue about who deserves to eat “the good healthy stuff”. Isn’t it sad that we give low-quality food to the poor…and their CHILDREN? HELLO??!!!
Healthy and Nutritious food should be available to ALL AMERICANS. It’s that simple, get over yourselves.
Totally agree. But let us define “Poor Americans” Do you have a cell phone?Cable TV? Smoke or drink? Eat out? Have your hair and nails done? Wear makeup? It is amazing once you cut out all the extras, the amount of money that you will find to provide for those basic needs like food.Of course, that is no fun.And why do that, if you can get foodstamps?Gotta love the “Gimmee Pig” nation.
I am on food stamps. I have 2 babies to feed and although I do try and do organic as much as possiable, I feel there is nothing wrong with this. They eat healthy and I am a happier Mom knowing they get what they need.
I am soooo sick of people being judgemental…people are so quick to say “get a job” So easy for you to say that when you have a job, if you are ever in the shoes of people like me that need help, I hope you think back to your ignorant comments. Not everyone is a scammer! Unfortunately some are, but being certain people are so high and mighty with their “secure jobs” they feel that we should not eat healthy, we should be buying processed junk and unhealthy foods. I guess that would make them happy. Just because we are on food stamps does not mean we want to be, doesn’t mean this is our dream. This is our reality. Doesn’t mean people are not grateful to have food on their plates. Pray you are never hungry, pray that you never lose that great job. Or you might end up like one of “us”.
You poor thing. Sitting at the public library pecking on the computer I assume? Homeless, with nothing but the clothes on your back?Honestly, when did missing one meal, or doing without seconds constitute poverty and starvation? Good God.
I am so amazed at the stories I read here. I really dont know how people survive anymore. I am one of the lucky ones to have a job. And evey time I bitch about my job, people always say, “Just be happy you have it!” But I still struggle. I live paycheck to paycheck and I make decent money. I came to this site to try to get some perspective, and I really feel bad for people who are out of work and trying to figure out desperately, what to do! Something has to happen in this country to change this trend, we cant just let people fall through the cracks! This country will be a horrible place to live if that happens.
What happened to AMERICA?
Who ever said Organic food is lavish and luxury? All I know is, when the government decided to give me 3 times the amount for groceries than I use to scrape by with, I def don’t intend on buying the same processed s**t I use to. I’m going to Whole foods and buying healthy, organic food for my family. Is organic food and quality juice instead of ramen noodles and coolaid considered taking advantage of the government? I don’t think so. I don’t intend on buying all types of delicacies. I plan on using my card to get good food and with left over money, I’ll buy stuff for other family members that need it.
Just be careful that you don’t generalize all EBT whole food shoppers as jerks who want to live in luxury on the governments dime.
if you qualify for food stamps, then use them as you please. i’m considering applying myself. if whole foods or central market will accept them–then, cool!