Week 9: News Article Blog - Kellee

“Missouri state government moves to trim eligibility for food stamps” by Jo Mannies

https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/33168/food_stamps_mo_masw_100913

Missouri is going to change the eligibility requirements for acquiring food stamps which sparked controversy with the Missouri Association for Social Welfare (MASW).  The modification will allow most “able-bodied” Missourians without dependents, between ages 18-50, to receive food stamps only if they are “employed, seeking work or are enrolled in an education or training program,” according to Missouri’s Department of Social Services. 

This change in eligibility would end the waiver on job requirements that have be in place since the federal stimulus legislation in 2009.  I do believe that having the requirement of residents working or looking for jobs is admirable, especially if people are unmotivated to work because they are already receiving benefits.  But many people are ill-equipped with proper resources to support them in the working world.  Also, who is considered “able-bodied?”  Does this include individuals with mental illnesses?  If so, I feel like this change would prevent many people, such as those with mental illnesses, from receiving food stamps because of job discrimination or other problems that would prevent them from being a working citizen.     

The change will not affect areas in which the unemployment rates have continued to hold steady above 10 percent.  This requirement will be waived for some rural communities in which the unemployment rate is still high in order to help suppress some of the lasting effects of the recession.  All other communities will be affected by the new requirement if it is passed.  Missouri’s unemployment rate shows that seven percent of the population is still being hit hard by the struggling economy.  Governor’s Jay Nixon and staff, as well as the Department of Social Services, remain tight-lipped on just how many people will struggle with the change and just how much money will be saved if the plan is approved. 

If the proposal goes into effect next spring, Missouri would be one of six states to eliminate federal benefits, which significantly boost sales of local grocery stores and help prevent hunger.  The MASW has noted that in previous years, Missouri has always held the reputation of supporting its struggling residents receive food stamps with the largest exemptions available.  However, the Department of Social Services has confidently stated that “the recession is over.”  I look at their statement as an implication that ineligible residents will be able to survive because the economy has returned to normal.  They are very wrong with this assumption and should be ashamed about a proposal that Missouri is not ready to handle.   

According to the Missouri State Hunger Atlas (2013), Missouri has definitely not returned to its previous state before the recession as food insufficiency has increased to 16.7 percent, which is above the national average of 14 percent.  Missouri currently ranks in the top 10 of “food insecure states.”  The MASW will work with other non-profit groups and residents in order to deal with the issue at stake and instill hope within the community.  How do you feel about the proposed change to cut back on eligibility requirements?  Do you think it will boost Missouri’s overall community and motivate residents to find work in order to reap the benefits?