In recent news, NBC News reports on Feb. 12 that nearly 47 million people receiving modernized food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, could see a decrease in benefits if the government doesn't act before the end of October. In 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was initiated that allowed for an $80 increase in benefits for families, the decreased amount for a family of four that a family could be forcing is up to $25 a month. The reason for the smaller decrease is because of the rising cost of food.
The boost was only supposed to be temporary and it expires on Oct. 31 if the government doesn't act, smaller families will see less of an impact, but an impact none the less. As Taylor Rios, a mother of two in Texas says;
"$25 a month is what many families spend per month on fruits and vegetables, so if the bill is not extended, then we may see some nutritional deficiencies. $25 may not seem like a lot of money to some people, but to those who live paycheck to paycheck and rely on food assistance programs, it could mean that they resort to eating unhealthy processed foods. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, those with celiac disease or other health issues where they must eat certain types of foods could have all kinds of medical problems from not eating properly as they should. I think people need to realize that any kind of cuts may affect those with health issues like diabetes and celiac disease, because they cannot eat processed food without dangerous health complications. They need to realize that a cut in food stamps will only increase the medicaid costs because of the dental and health problems in kids long-term."
Experts say that those in the lower income brackets will be the most affected because this ultimately means less money for them to buy food for their family. They already have to rely on the program so that they can make ends meet. Currently, there are more people on food stamps than ever before. Families that receive lesser amounts due to higher income could end up only receiving the minimum amount-- $1 or they could end up having their benefits completely cut off if the government doesn't act.
How do you feel this will effect your family?
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