USDA SNAP PROGRAM–A HAND UP FOR HARD TIMES, NOT A WAY OF LIFE
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USDA SNAP PROGRAM–A HAND UP FOR HARD TIMES, NOT A WAY OF LIFE
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At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a final rule to move more able-bodied recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) towards self-sufficiency and into employment. The rule restores the system to what Congress intended: assistance through difficult times, not a way of life.
“Americans are generous people who believe it is their responsibility to help their fellow citizens when they encounter a difficult stretch. Government can be a powerful force for good, but government dependency has never been the American dream. We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand,” said Secretary Perdue. “Now, in the midst of the strongest economy in a generation, we need everyone who can work, to work. This rule lays the groundwork for the expectation that able-bodied Americans re-enter the workforce where there are currently more job openings than people to fill them.”
Secretary Perdue elaborated on these ideals in an op-ed published in the Arizona Daily Star: Throughout my travels across this great country, I’ve seen the values that truly unite us — values we’ve embodied in our USDA motto to “Do right and feed everyone.” With hard work and dedication, you can accomplish great things. That’s the American dream. And when times are tough, we pull together to solve problems, and we look out for each other, knowing that next time, we may be the one who needs a helping hand.
Our SNAP program should be structured to work with our changing economy, not be stuck in the past. This is why I made it a top priority to ensure people have the tools they need to move away from SNAP dependency and back toward self-sufficiency. At USDA we are working to restore the original intent of SNAP — one that provides a safety net for those in need but encourages accountability and self-sufficiency.
SNAP provides essential benefits to ensure folks facing the loss of a job or other difficult circumstances can put food on the table. But just as important, it provides connections to employment and training in the clear expectation that folks will seek to move beyond those benefits to work and independence. . . .
Americans are an exceptional people. We are uniquely independent, but we are also a giving people, willing to help our neighbor in their times of need. Any one of us can face tough times, and as a community we come together to help others. At the same time, we expect those we assist to in turn take responsibility for themselves. Government can be a powerful force for good, but government dependency has never been the American dream. We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand.
For more information, including the history of the SNAP program, read the USDA press release.
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Father, in the name of Jesus, let your voice be predominate in this juncture. WE ask that your desire and principles prevail, in this and all matters to serve all people. We ask that you bring unilateral understanding and acceptance of what you want to be and to what needs to be established to further your kingdom, which is the basis of love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
I am disabled & it’s hard for me to find a job that I can perform with my disability. I can only work 10 hours a week to receive SSDI.
For those who can work, yes, there should be provisions, but not for the disabled.
I totally agree with the revisions to the SNAP program and why they are being made. However, as is often the case with large, far reaching programs, the details of individual family situations are not taken into consideration.
I am aware of a family, 3 children and two parents in their early 40s, who are struggling to make ends meet. The husband has a 40 hour/ week steady job that pays over minimum wage.In the past the wife worked full time and they did not need SNAP support or qualify for it.
Two years ago this coming March she suffered a severe heart attack, had the aortic valve replaced and was on the ECMO machine for what was considered a long time in those situations. By the grace of God and much prayer she survived, is mentally stable(which wasn’t assured at the time)and can continue to be there for her family. However, there were complications due to a hereditary clotting disorder and she will not be able to work even part time.
These details cannot be known by the people/agencies who determine the details of the SNAP program. If the caseworker stays on top of things they might be aware,however, they do not have the power to change the new directives from the government.
All this said to make the point that when reporting on news such as this please consider that the effects of changes in any agencies program has individual effects on specific families; the people the programs are designed to help.
Thank you for all your work and for allowing me to share this.
Mary Anne
Yes. My daughter is an advocate and I was a case manager. Each case is different.
Thank you for your comments. It is a very sad thing that whenever something is meant for good, there will always be those who will abuse the system. This makes it very hard for people who are in desperate need. God told us in His Word that there will always be poor among us. In the Old Testament, when the fields were being gleaned, they were to leave some behind for those in need. I believe that the way America blesses its own and other countries is why God has been so good to us. We are by far the most giving country in the world. We never know if or when we will ever be in a situation of need. Thank God for His Mercy.
I work at a non-profit were we help people with food, utility bills, rent payments, prescription medication, etc. Those seeking help must have an emergency to receive assistance, not just because they just bought new rims for their vehicle instead of paying their rent or have HBO and Showtime on cable instead of paying their utility bill (actual instances). We also provide them with financial counseling as a requirement to receive emergency assistance. Sometime we see success with people moving out of poverty but other times they just want the handouts. There is a saying in the non-profit world that “you have to get through the greedy to get to the needy!” As a nation, lets continue to help those who are really in need despite some who can and should work. Work as a requirement is not a bad thing as there is dignity in work, no matter what level it is.
I have been on both sides of this coin. I have lived on government assistance and I have seen it abused, misused and over-used by people who could work and wouldn’t or by people who worked and didn’t admit to how much they made.
I believe the best way to solve this issue and encourage everyone to do the best they can would be to change to a system similar to what was used during WWII when food was rationed. Each person would be allowed a set amount of meat, eggs, milk, flour, sugar, fruit, vegetables etc. contingent on their health requirements.
This might seem harsh, but I don’t think government assistance should be used for candy, soda, sugary cereals, cake or cookies that then cause rotten teeth and diseases caused by poor dietary choices which the government also picks up the tab for.
I have also listened to people ranting about government health care and why don’t we take care of our people the way other countries do. Don’t they realize that other countries also require their people to take responsibility for what they eat so that they don’t require as much medical intervention.
Well said Fannie
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands — establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:17 HCSB
Father, we praise You for the work of this administration. Lord we are a generous nation for You have been good to us. Father we pray for those that represent us to seek Your wisdom, Your righteousness, let us turn away from unlawfulness and debauchery that separates us from You. May our hands not be idol, and may they not be used to do evil but may they be raised to praise You, to seek You for all of our daily needs, to give You glory. May the churches in this nation be willing to let go of idols of entertainment and programs and step in with those resources to fill any needs that may come about due to changes in policy. May we unite in Christ to share Your Gospel to the ministering to the needs of the less fortunate, the widows and orphans, to the least of these, may they never go hungry for Your daily bread is sufficient. All to Your glory Lord and in Jesus name we thank You for the wisdom of Your Word. Amen
Great comment as I have seen the outright abuse of this system. People allow use of their card in exchange for cash. Elderly people who have paid their dues e.g. worked all of their lives should get this assistance. However, there are those who by certain circumstances can’t work or provide for their needs. But, those who “choose” to lay around have babies, smoke weed & buy junk on the 1st should be made to work. Hand up, enough of the handouts.
As one who has worked in benevolence with my husband for 17 years, have witnessed much in this area. Many in this country do work but live with very low incomes and assistance according to income can be a blessing to a family and lighten the pressure often felt by families and individuals of poverty level incomes. Our oldest son, a pastor by call lives at poverty level and I have to admit that I give thanks to the God of all provision for this type of assistance to the family. As the church and a nation we do have a responsibility to care for the poor. An individual can be working and still live in meager means, barely sustaining but with joy moving forward each day by His Grace and in His strength. i cannot share the hardships this son has lived in, but with joy we give thanks to the God of all provision. There is a difference as we evaluate this care to our less fortunate in monetary circumstances and being ever discerning to the issues of laziness, inability to work because of mental health or other disabilities. I understand that many will take advantage of these type of services, but with prayer and discerning spirit we as a nation can still love others through these types of programs. It has been very difficult as a parent to watch your child have to seek assistance from government but I’m thankful it has been there for them as they follow God’s call in their lives with thanksgiving and joy.