CalFrustrated
Applying for food aid has gotten easier, but CalFresh is still under used
(Jan. 12, 2012) Back in 2007, when Daniele Nelson was just 18 and struggling to get by on her own, a friend urged her to try to get on food stamps.
“It was a pain going down there and supplying documents,” Nelson recalled. She had to get fingerprinted, and bring a photo ID, her Social Security card, pay stubs, rent receipts and utility bills.
But after that initial hassle, she said, it’s been easy — and essential.
“My family would not be able to eat or survive without it,” she said. “We would starve.”
Although Nelson works full-time as a receptionist at Kokotat, she has two little ones now, ages 3 years and 6 months, and her income barely covers the bills. When she made $1,600 a month in her last job, the federal program gave her an extra $200 monthly for food, and she’s waiting to hear what the new amount will be now that she’s at Kokotat.
Since Nelson first applied, it’s gotten easier to get food aid, and the program, now recast as CalFresh, is soon going to get easier yet.
That could help many more people than just the recipients — hungry kids affect their classmates and their schools, and they don’t grow up as healthy, a problem that eventually touches us all.
Even with improvements, though, fewer than half of the people eligible for food stamps in Humboldt County were actually getting them in 2009, according to the California Food Policy Advocates group. In its report, “Lost Dollars, Empty Plates,” the group found that about 10,000 people were participating in CalFresh in Humboldt, but over 15,000 income-eligible residents were not, which meant the county was missing out in over $28 million worth of economic activity.
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SIX Comments
Comment / By Billy / Jan. 12, 4:55 p.m.
Again, another story where someone struggling to make ends meet pops out babies like they come with their own bank accounts. Come on people, use your heads.
“If you can’t feed the baby, then don’t have the baby” -Michael Jackson
Comment / By Chuy / Jan. 16, 11:24 a.m.
I gross $54 a month more than the cutoff for Food Stamps eligibility for a family of four. I spend almost half of my monthly income on rent, which as most will agree is outrageous in Humboldt. Most of the rest goes to the water bill, PG&E, and gasoline for our two cars. This leaves us around $200 a month to feed four people, which is simply not enough. I have to make occasional trips to the Food Bank to get by. I believe out family is among the worst off when it comes to nutrition. If we were a bit poorer, my children would eat better, and that is sad.
Comment / By Lonesome Organgrinder / Jan. 28, 8:43 a.m.
I’m sorry to read that it was “a pain going down there and supplying documents” in order for Ms. Nelson to get food stamps. What a hassle. The government should just give them to her after a quick phone interview. Geez, the injustice of it. Sarc off. This country is in a sorry state when welfare is considered “economic activity.” Where is/are the father(s) of her two children? She has been on food stamps since 2007, but has had two children since then. Has she ever heard of personal responsibility, or birth control?
Comment / By Herman Melville / Jan. 28, 8:56 a.m.
“Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.”
Comment / By Phil Jones / Today, 1:24 p.m.
If you are stupid enough to have kids you can’t afford and WE have to pay for them then WE should get to decide that you must pass a drug test and be on birth control while receiving welfare.
Comment / By buzz / Today, 4:07 p.m.
Phil’s not very bright, and he has anger management issues, but other than that he’s a nice guy.