Friday, June 24, 2016

MAINE PLANS TO KEEP THE POOR POOR - MORE THAN $5000 in the bank? FORGET SNAP!

Washington Post and MAINES PLAN TO KEEP THE POOR IN POVERTY by Roberto A. Ferdman


EXCERPT: a $5,000 cap on the savings and other assets of residents enrolled in the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Those whose bank accounts, secondary vehicles and homes, and other assets considered non-essential by the government, exceed the limit will no longer be eligible to participate in the food stamp program. An individual's primary home and vehicle won't count toward the limit.




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Here in California, a person on General Relief (a single individual) pay not have more than $1200 in the bank, even though a typical apartment costs almost as much and the first and last rent keeps people out of housing, so they stay on the street or in a shelter for YEARS hoping to save enough in a trust account somewhere for their deposits.  ON SSI/SSDI an individual can have more - $2000.  If you sold your car or your home because you wanted to use that money for renting or an RV or whatever, there is a slippery slope of loss when you need repairs.  We know of homeless people who are homeless due to job loss, age discrimination, sexism, loss of apartments due to tear downs, and so much else.



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