So how many of my fellow Gaians receive SNAP benefits?
Personally, I do, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
I'm a college student and one day when I'm making enough money to fend for myself, my tax dollars will pay the state back.
Do I feel entitled to food of my choice? Yes.
I have a right to eat what I want. Try to dismantle it what you will, conservatives, but you won't change my view.
For everyone else receiving benefits, you might have noticed or heard that the benefits are changing to a different day starting this month.
I used to receive my stamps on the 7th and my husband the 8th, but now we will both be receiving them on the 14th, instead.
Needless to say, the government is not giving anyone who is having to wait an extra week or two for their benefits this month any extra on their SNAP balance.
In the state of TN, this has resulted many stories like the following:
Quote:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The date Tennesseans who take part in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program get their payments changed on October 1st.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services revised what days payments are dispersed at the request of Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association.
"And they've been asking this for several years for some relief just because the amount of benefits we're issuing each month and the time of month those benefits are issued and spent by the recipients," said SNAP director Richard Dobbs.
Previously payments were spread out over a ten day period. The revised schedule extends that to a 20 day period so fewer people are shopping during the first two weeks of the month.
The changes affect 95% of SNAP's 1.3 million recipients in Tennessee.
Tennessee paid out $30 million a month for this program 15 years ago. Today SNAP costs the state $180 million a month.
Recipients were made aware of the October change in August. Local food banks also prepared for an increase in people who might need assistance.
Many of the shelves were empty at St. Luke's Community House in West Nashville Monday afternoon.
"We had an incredibly high demand in anticipation of the weekend and, I think in part, in anticipation of the benefits change over date," said Chris Sanders with St. Luke's.
Even with the advance notice of the plan's changes many people will still have a difficult time filling the gap between he first of the month and their new pay date.
"Absolutely for a family who's really trying to stretch their dollars ands survive for that week, especially when they have small children," said Sanders.
DHS said they did receive an increased number of calls Monday from recipients inquiring about the changes.
Source
What do you guys think?