“There’s no such thing as a free lunch”
We’ve all had the experience of overhearing a conversation based
on inaccuracies and vague statistics. Perhaps its someone in line in front of
you or virtually on a comment thread. When the conversation is on a topic you
are particularly well-versed in, do you say something? Do you let it play out
and make mental log of what “facts” are being thrown out to arm yourself for
future discussions?
As I was eating lunch Monday afternoon I overheard two young professionals talking about politics, specifically the national debt and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). I could tell from their body language that they were on opposing sides yet interested in having a dialogue.
The two calmly shot back at each other, point for point, only to really reach the surface of this complicated issue. When one stated there was an increase in people on SNAP during the Obama administration his sparring partner grew quiet.
“The amount of people on food stamps has gone up 42% since 2009 when Obama took office” one said looking at his smartphone. No mention of the source of this number.
His buddy seemed genuinely surprised and didn’t have a swift reply.
The conversation continued while I quietly listened in.
“Obama promised to balance the budget but the national debt has doubled.”
As I was eating lunch Monday afternoon I overheard two young professionals talking about politics, specifically the national debt and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). I could tell from their body language that they were on opposing sides yet interested in having a dialogue.
The two calmly shot back at each other, point for point, only to really reach the surface of this complicated issue. When one stated there was an increase in people on SNAP during the Obama administration his sparring partner grew quiet.
“The amount of people on food stamps has gone up 42% since 2009 when Obama took office” one said looking at his smartphone. No mention of the source of this number.
His buddy seemed genuinely surprised and didn’t have a swift reply.
The conversation continued while I quietly listened in.
“Obama promised to balance the budget but the national debt has doubled.”
“It cost money to support people who can’t make ends meet.
You would balance the budget over helping these people?”
“I care about the budget. I don’t know if you care about the
budget.”
“These are people, man.”
“They can get by on what they have…”
“Some of these people work 2 to 3 jobs and still need help.
What are they going to get by on?”
“These are people, man” keeps ringing in my head. Is there a
better point to make? Can anything top the simple, yet powerful claim that we
are indeed talking about people? This is not a discussion about disposable objects.
These are people with families, jobs, struggles, triumphs, and tight budgets.
These are children being raised by parents working multiple jobs to put food on
the table. These are seniors who can no longer work, some with health problems,
who are living solely on Social Security.
When presented with the opportunity to educate less sympathetic minds about the realities of being on SNAP, the following facts can provide guidance.
When presented with the opportunity to educate less sympathetic minds about the realities of being on SNAP, the following facts can provide guidance.
·
As of September 2016 there are just under 44.5 million
individuals on SNAP. 1
·
The average monthly SNAP benefit is
$125.59/individual and $254.73/household. 2
·
The above numbers, both the total SNAP
recipients and the average monthly benefit, is a decrease from FY15, FY14, and
FY13. 3
·
To be eligible for SNAP you have to be a U.S.
citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylum seeker, or conditional
errant based on certain statutory definitions. Documentation is mandatory upon
initial application to be considered in any of these groups. 4
·
If a household is deemed eligible benefits are
distributed based on a certification period, usually 12 months, and the
household has to reapply at the end of this period. 5
·
In 2015 only 10% of the federal budget, $362
billion, went to supporting social programs. SNAP is only a fraction of the
10%. 6 Of that 10%, $75 billion was spent on SNAP in FY15, which is
20% of the social program sliver of the budget. 7
1-3http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/pd/34SNAPmonthly.pdf
4https://jupiter.dss.state.va.us/FoodStampManual/mainpage.jsp; Part 7, Chapter F
1-3http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/pd/34SNAPmonthly.pdf
4https://jupiter.dss.state.va.us/FoodStampManual/mainpage.jsp; Part 7, Chapter F
5 https://jupiter.dss.state.va.us/FoodStampManual/mainpage.jsp;
Part 4, Chapter A
7 http://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-introduction-to-the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
