Why does the misconception that people who get Food stamps don't work continue?

1. 86

   Annsaloposted 8 years ago

   Why does the misconception that people who get Food stamps don't work continue?
   
   Out of those that get EBT/SNAP/Food stamps 60% have employed adults in the household. Also 20% of those getting those benefits are unable to work due to being elderly or disabled. So that leaves very few that are actually not working while getting assistance.
   On top of that 90% of those able to work were in fact working in the year before, so they have also paid into the tax dollars that contribute to the system.
   So why do so many still believe most people who get EBT are just lazy people who don't want to work?
   Photo source - Jerk I'm related to that is on my facebook
   
   

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2. 0

   Cissy1946posted 8 years ago

   Because people who are poor or down on their luck are easy targets and bullies and cowards always pick on the easy targets.

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3. 84

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   The number of people on disability SSDI has risen by 8 million, but it is overwhelming for depression, anxiety, back pain - not the injuries like losing your legs or blindness it was supposed to handle. Society sees far less physical labor and far more disabled people who weren't doing physical labor, but shifted to SSDI after long periods on unemployment. (This spiked after the two years unemployment ran out.) So you DO have many people on SSDI listed as disabled that are not really such, and they get SNAP as well.
   Yes there are working poor, and there are many in that group who intentionally don't work full time or work seasonally because they have a higher quality of life with lower income and EITC and welfare/SNAP than they would if working full time and losing all the benefits. This is actually a "benefits cliff" that keeps people on welfare, and Democrats don't care that it keeps people on the dole because doing so keeps them voting Democrat.

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   1. 86

      Annsaloposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      People that think like you scare me. You are ignoring the facts of how hard it is to actually get disability in this country. You are also ignoring how little welfare actually provides. Some take advantage, but welfare gives very little if employed!

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4. 69

   AshtonFireflyposted 8 years ago

   I'm assuming it's because those that abuse the system receive the most attention. The stereotype therefore becomes that.
   
   I've worked my whole life, and I received food stamps for a few months after becoming disabled. It was either that or starve, as I received no disability check. I dislike government assistance,but it has almost become a necessary evil.

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5. 59

   Brenda Speegleposted 8 years ago

   All government provided benefits stigmatize the people receiving them. Those on cash aid, HUD's section 8 voucher program, medicaid, state disability, SSDI, and other federal programs are often treated like criminals.
   
   The blame for this unfair stereotyping starts with a general misunderstanding the program. The SNAP program is not part of the welfare system. The programs have separate funding and different functions.
   
   In January, 2016 45.4 million people were on the SNAP program. Families on SNAP receive an average of $256.11 monthly. SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase food and nonalcoholic drinks. The amount of the purchase is deducted from the EBT card just like a debit transaction.
   
   To qualify for the SNAP program, applicants must meet income requirements. A family of 4 must have a gross income of $2,628 (130% of poverty level) or less to qualify.
   
   Applicants with prior drug convictions are disqualified and if someone currently receiving SNAP is found guilty of a drug related crime, the family is disqualified.
   
   In California, people on SSI are not eligible for the SNAP program because state funds supplement SSI payments.
   
   This makes it difficult for these people to afford housing, prescriptions, utility, and food costs each month. Many have to choose between health sustaining medications or food; or, electricity or food.
   
   In the past 10 years the number of people on the SNAP program has increased by more than 20,000 participants. This growth continues even with states implementing drug testing to weed out the bad guys (approximately 1% of those tests come back positive). The biased opinions of those on the SNAP program come from the media's focus on those who have taken advantage of the system.
   
   The USDA reports a fraud rate of less than 1% for the SNAP program. This is the lowest rate for all federal assistance programs.
   
   Videos of SNAP participants being verbally assaulted in grocery stores go viral more often. Wouldn't you like to know why that person is so interested in their payment method? Do you pay attention to how the person ahead of you pays?
   
   http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/a … challenges
   http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility
   http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/f … ummary.pdf

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