I’ve been on SNAP/food stamps/food assistance on and off for a good bit of my life. I grew up on paper food stamps, WIC, and government cheese and canned meat, and all the shame that went with those, in a small town where you were either rich or very poor.
I’ve used WIC myself, and paper food stamps just before they were phased out. I felt the shame people were projecting on me, but I had other people to think of who were more important.
Now I have a SNAP card, and have had one in several states.
Hawaii was the best about it, they made your benefit card look very like the various credit union and local bank cards, so there was absolutely no way for anyone but the cashier to tell what you were using.
New Hampshire’s, at the time I used it, was obvious, and shaming was the stated goal.
Maine is pretty clear, if you know what it is, but it’s pretty middle-of-the-road. It’s not a bright solid color or anything ridiculous like like that.
I’ve had times when SNAP was my only ‘income’. That was a bit funny. I was living near a farmer’s market, where food was 50% off if you used SNAP. The coupons they gave could be used for anything in the farmer’s market (you paid 50%, but also got coupons in the amount you used to go back out to use in the farmer’s market—double win). I managed pretty well during that homeless period. I also discovered that coney tastes pretty good when made into a stew (no one else in the DV shelter wanted to try).
This past year, I went from ~190lbs to 145lbs. My doctors were worried and people have had trouble recognizing me. My new case manager was upset.
DHHS had decided to not add in my heating, electric, medication and service dog expenses to my SNAP review, and had cut my monthly SNAP allowance by over $100. Thank goodness for my Zojirushi rice cooker and Asian food stores (even without a working stove, I can cook rice and boneless, skinless thighs at the same time, and have it all come out safe). With that and a microwave, I had a meal a day all ready, with frozen veggies cooked in the microwave (which I replaced in January) rounding things out. Oh, and gluten/dairy-free bread for PB&J.
One meal a day was all I could afford. That’s how a person with treated Hashimoto’s loses weight.
My previous case manager had just shrugged at the issue and said that my benefits were based off my income and expenses. I was sure there was a mistake somewhere, but without help, it can be difficult for me to deal with DHHS, and I’d already gone down to the local DHHS and been told it was proper. I couldn’t see how, since I paid for my heat & electric half the year, and my service dog’s expenses (all deductible costs). That went on for a year.
My current case manager called DHHS as soon as they found out how much I was getting in SNAP. Explanations about how much I paid in heating and electricity, not to mention house upkeep (not rent, in lieu of rent, given the state of the building) and service dog bills, were given. (Seeing an vid-call was very interesting.) My benefits were fixed and backdated as far as they could, and hit the next morning.
I had gone to DHHS and went in to talk to them in person about this issue, with lots of documentation. I waited the standard few hours for someone to see me. They refused to let me use my machine translator. I hadn’t been able to get done with receipts, doctor’s notes, and a history in the DHHS computer of how it was supposed to be done on my case. I have a TBI, I’m not considered credible.
A case manager, with nothing but a phone call (and access to previous records on DHHS’s part), was able to fix the issue in under 30 minutes. I’m very grateful. My case manager is awesome.
I wish DHHS had listened to me, when I came in with all the paperwork. Instead I’m left feeling a bit useless and like a child who needs an adult to make anyone listen to me. My CM understands, they’re deaf, they don’t treat me that way, but I have to put up with that sort of thing every day.
In short, I’m not losing weight anymore (I’m staying pretty stable). The back payment means that if I ever get an apartment, I have a nice nest egg to stock the kitchen. I’m very careful to stay within my monthly allowance, but now that’s not so difficult.
Cooking is still a mite interesting, but it could be a whole lot worse!
But DHHS isn’t really on your side. I live 50% below the poverty line, and they still looked to find a way to cut my benefits, and hoped I would give up fighting for my proper allotment. It’s how they save money. But without it, I literally cannot eat enough to stay nourished.
But hey, everyone is telling me how great I look now. I should be grateful, eh? :sigh: