More Americans Turning To Food Stamps

(CBS)  Alyn Luna has been struggling to give her family a better life. But after losing her job as a security guard three weeks ago, she did something Monday she hoped she'd never have to do again - apply for food stamps, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

"If it wasn't for this program, it would be really bad for me right now," Luna says.

With jobs declining and prices for basics -- food, fuel and medicine -- on the rise, more Americans are expected to turn to food stamps in the next year than at any time since the program began in the 1960s.

Already, demand is up in 43 states. Fourteen have hit record highs. In Michigan, one in every eight residents is on food stamps; one in seven in Kentucky.

"Their wages are going down or staying the same while the costs that they have to meet each month are going up, and the squeeze on them is so significant that they can't afford food," says Stacy Dean of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Anyone, working or retired, living near the poverty line -- less than about $28,000 per family of four -- is eligible for the benefits, about $100 per person per month.

But even with two jobs and food stamps, Shreel Jackson still is stretching beans and her budget to feed her four boys and granddaughter.

"Because what I get, it helps, but it's not enough, it's not enough, it's not enough," Jackson says.

With Congress fighting over funding, millions like Jackson won't find much more in the pot.

[reddiwhip33]

Bragging...what would i be bragging about? I will be the first to admit i am very fortunate, mostly because of hard work and not blaming my past or choices on anyone but myself. Loads of people get dealt a dirty hand in life...but one tends to make the most of it...not use it as a crutch. Different times..different ways. Plus i think you may be missing the whole point of abusing the system...welfare...things of that nature. I guess if your not abusing it they why all the anger?

[michellem99-2009]

Stop yer bloody bragging..I was taught that too and I tried. I worked in a shelter work shop and they paid me pennies. They paid the males more. Support that bloody illegal war. As a child I was told every day yer can''t this that. Yet they totally blinded one of my eyes to put me in my place as foster mother felt *yer in the home under a man''s control*.She was grooming me for a phoney life..That of a wife and mother.. I told her it aint gonna be. My foster parnets were seniors when I was growing up. They saw to it my life was meaningless.
I can''t write that good or spell. I know nothing of grammar. I HAD MY LESSION BOOKS IN LARGE PRINT UNTIL A BOY WHINED. He said *how come Barbara has sp books.* The teacher pulled them thanks to a bloody boy..I am legally blind from birth up. In my day it was geared to males and females the man''s breed thing. I was told to wear a dress for my male social worker when I was a minor I toid her* no way* and I did not..I did for my pusted thru grad from high school in 74.

[michellem99-2009]

I have talked about my life in foster homes. I was so messed up. The woman that dumped me on the town at 5 damaned I live in a one room at a blind centre for the rest of my life. She was pissed I walked out of there with the help of a sighted person. I was 28. I was scared at I did not know that man and we are still together. I was abused in them homes. Robbed of my name. From age 5 to 10 I was barred from school in other words due to being legally blind and phy. handicapped..Then sp.ed. I was a girl...They told me to my face they had no desise to educat me...I was hurt and pissed..I WANT WHAT I CAN''T HAVE AND DENIED ME. Ye got the galls to bad munth us poor..Yer bloodly whitch hunt..I was told as a girl *Yer just gonna marry and have babies*..I said no I am not..I have reasons I did not..I suffer every day with c/p. I was 51 when my friend got me a computer..Why..He wanted me to* see *how poorly taught /failed to teach me..They lied to my father and that hunt the must.I LATER MET MY FATHER.I grew up in fear. From month to month I never knew as a kid what home I be in. I am 53.

[reddiwhip33]

I guess i come from a family that has worked no matter what the medical problem may be. I would have to say too that several of my siblings have severe medical problems, some have severe to moderate pain plus other symptoms. All we were ever taught in life was to work like dogs and to take care of those in need. You can ask my kids how often they get to go to McDonald''s...ha ha they will tell you that its cheaper to cook a roast and potatoes. I dont feel bad because i have all the things i do have and for those that are unable or dont work...all i have to say is you made your bed now sleep in it. I learned along time ago that the choices i make are mine, i am responsible for what i do today and so on. Nobody is to blame for my actions...and i have learned to be prepared...hence life insurance, 401K, savings...etc. No im not heartless...i just like to see others atleast try. I guess you do what you have to in life and if it means living off of others..then so be it.

[cattlekate]

Posted by sis003 at 07:01 PM : Apr 01, 2008

I wish you well. MS is cruel.

[firewife81]

my husband and i are needing help and we tryed to get some help and were denied. they told us the reason we were denied is because he makes $2.00 a month to much. i am disabled and my husband works 40 hours a week at $8.00 an hour. we are having a hard time even paying our bills let alone buy food. it is sad when the gov. tells you that they can''t help cause you make $2.00 to much!

[sis003]

I got an education, a job to care for my family. Then came multiple sclerosis--I was no longer able to work, a serious heart condition disabled my husband. I had to ask for help. I sought jobs I was potentially capable of and found nothing. My family went from middle-class to impoverished. Food stamps and Medicaid healthcare kept us going. Now we live on Social Security, with a little too much $ for those snickered-at food stamps. We rarely drink more than water or tea (cheap). For a real treat we buy 2-liter of pop--why? Because it''s comparatively cheap compared to milk, and especially juices. What seems like foolish purchases, may be the only treat a child receives in a month. How many of you take your children to McD''s or shopping and get a new toy? Should we punish our children with never having a treat because others judge us? I''m embarassed to use food stamps or aid of any kind, but sometimes it must be done. Name-brand clothing was given to our children. Should they not wear it because someone might think I am spending inappropriately? My sister pays for a cell phone in case I need help. We have internet from family. Appearance is not truth, watch how you judge. I am a republican, so I do have the "right" political orientation. Someday you may be in circumstances that propel you to do things against your preferences. Be careful how you choose to think of others.

[Brown Fox]

Food stamps are a blessing for many, as well as social security, welfare and unemployment. However, when it is abused, it affects everyone.

I have seen grocery merchants allow people to use food stamps for beer, cigarettes and other sundries not to be purchased by food stamps. It''s as though they don''t care or overlook the rules.

How do we control such purchases when merchants don''t enforce the food stamp laws. Just take a look at the open boarders and merchants and businesses who hire those who cross over illegally - and are eligible for food stamps.

Our government doesn''t seem to care about US citizens who really need help, by not enforcing existing laws.

So who''s the blame? We The People are! Everything is connected.

As long as we keep electing people who don''t care about what we want and need, companies will continue to outsource jobs; hourly wages will remain the same while goods and services continue to rise, making more and more people have to rely on food stamps.

Bush says we''re just in a slump - I say we''re in a recession. Who do you believe?

[luvmykiddo]

jamesm12341 and sblake63: Are you guys christians?

[dzapple]

I see nothing wrong with helping people to get back on their feet...but it is wrong to enable them to the point that they have no desire to get back on their feet.



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Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:03 PM : Apr 01, 2008



THEY ARE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
MONEY FOR NOTHING
AND THE FOOD IS FREE OR TRADE IT FOR DRUGS