In California Only About Half of Those People Who Qualify Actually Get Food Stamps

 In California Only About Half of Those People Who Qualify Actually Get Food Stamps

Photo by dpss.co.riverside.ca.us

 An article by the L. A. Times about how people were being discouraged from applying for food stamps even though they were eligible, because they probably wouldn't get them. You heard right. 

L. A. Times article "California discourages needy from signing up for Food Stamps"

 Even though Republican Gov. Rick Perry ultimately got rid of the policy, Texas — always seeking to whittle down "big government" — remains one of the most effective states at keeping its poor out of the giant federal food stamp program.

Liberal California discourages eligible people from signing up for food stamps at rates conservative activists elsewhere envy. Only about half of the Californians who qualify for help get it. The program is called CalFresh.

In California, where onerous paperwork requirements, inhospitable county benefits offices and confusing online applications often prevail. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest study reflects the participation rate in 2010, agency enrollment figures released since then leave California stuck in last place.

In California, sometimes even those who qualify get rejected, as understaffed agencies prove unable to properly process applications. Edlyn Countee had no idea she was eligible for food stamps until a friend who volunteered at a food bank brought it up. The 61-year-old from Oakland applied. She was rejected. "They said I made too much money," she said. "I figured, 'There goes that.'"

The friend insisted that there had been a mistake and that Countee should keep at it. The advice was solid, but it took an attorney from Bay Area Legal Aid calling social services officials, and Countee filling out an affidavit, before she got her $101 per month.

It is unconscionable that we have so many people out of work, disabled, veterans, elderly, and children, that are going hungry in the richest country in the world. There are also people who work full-time, 40 hours, but are paid so little that they live below the poverty line and are eligible for Food Stamps and Medicaid. Employees of Wal-Mart cost the taxpayers $80M a year, and those who work at McDonald's and other fast food establishments fall into the same category. The real "Welfare Queen," a phrase coined by President Reagan is Wal-Mart.