The New York Times has a series on U.S. government aid to its citizens, including unemployment insurance, food stamps, and cash welfare.
The number of food stamp recipients has climbed by about 10 million over the past two years, resulting in a program that now feeds 1 in 8 Americans and nearly 1 in 4 children.
I missed the story when it was published back on November 28, since I was busy ringing a cowbell, but as one who works amongst the poor and the homeless, this is an interesting story to me. Behind the numbers are real adults and children who depend upon the government, the kindness of charities, and the kindness of people, for their next meal.
The map and story brings out interesting facts, but you have to be careful to look at the underlying data. For example, the map states that California enrolls just half of those eligible for aid, while Missouri enrolls nearly all its eligible people. However, the data the New York Times links to from the article is from the USDA for 2006, which is prior to the recession. Yet the New York Times labels it as being from June, 2009. Using a search engine, I found USDA data that was for 2007, which makes me curious as to why the New York Times did not use it. At least the USDA in their report puts error bars on its estimations. (For the record, the error bars are +/- 2% for California.)
via Food Stamp Usage Across the Country – Interactive Map – NYTimes.com.
I have studied food stamp charts for many years and I do not know why the various skyrockets are not charted and explained. There has also never been a good food stamp survey to determine all the reasons why indigents go on food stamps. Are there any indigents on food stamps because a 300$ car repair bill left them with no money for food? How about a car accident with car damage, no insurance fine, and mandatory auto insurance gutting their budget? I have done 3 food stamp studies/surveys that show around 8 percent of the indigents go on food stamps because of DUI, delinquent traffic fines and mandatory auto insurance. The food stamp people have done no studies along this line, except for the one I pushed for that showed that in Billings, MT, 18 of the 96 food stamp applicants said auto insurance, fines, or mandatory auto insurance was a reason for needing food stamps. Go to http://www.foodstampstudy.com. What good is it to collect a 300$ late traffic fine, and have the indigent household collect 300$ of food stamps? I don’t think that is what food stamps are for. We need more knowledge in this area of increases in food stamps due to motor vehicle law costs. Let’s quit sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring the problem.