The ‘Great Recession’ – food stamps & the family
Everyone from the auto industry to the porn industry is looking for bailouts from a young motivated presidency still being tested in their first 100 days. The stock market is still heading south. Jobs are still wilting away with no promise of returning. This sour economy has affected many parents & families in profound ways and there is no looking back.
Regardless of whether you are an individual or an entire family in need, you need to find out the facts, the facts about what resources and services are available to you. If an individual or family is currently earning less than 130% of the Federal poverty level [FPL] and their current household assets are below $2,000 you may be eligible for California Food Stamps Benefits and possibly additional benefits under the CALworks program.
Food stamp households, except those containing an aged or disabled member or where all members receive cash assistance, are subject to gross and net income determination tests. Gross Income – all non-excludable income from any source including all earned income and all unearned income. The maximum gross allowed is 130% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) or 165% of the FPL if the household has an elderly or disabled person who qualifies to be a separate household. If the household passes the gross income test, then the net income test is computed. Net income is computed by deducting the following, if applicable, from gross income. The resultant amount cannot exceed 100% of the FPL.” ~ California Department of Social Services, Eligibility and Issuance for Food Stamp Benefits
I don’t care what your place is in society, many people eligible for benefits may not step forward, whether it be embarrassment, pride, fear, whatever. Remember, this is a service sponsored by our government with taxpayer money, your money. It is there to help people when they need it.
For those of us with little or no resources currently, it is essential to know your options. If your wife, friend or loved one is pregnant or has just given birth, or has a child under the age of 5 in the State of California, they and their children are eligible for WIC Program [Women, Infants & Children] benefits. In California, the WIC Program supplies predetermined vouchers monthly for each eligible member of the family. Vouchers provide healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding health care and other community services.
Additionally, there is a WIC Farmers Market Nutritional Program that offers vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables from participating vendors at local Farmers markets. My understanding is this portion of the WIC program is supplemental and available on a first come, first serve basis.
Sited & Related Links:
California State Department of Social Services | Food Stamps Program
CALworks Program
California Women, Children & Infants [WIC] Program
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition,al Program
meta-DAD | WIC Benefits for unemployed families
