Pennsylvania Food Stamp Asset Test Sets the Bar a Little Low (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | Food stamps are a source of tension for many politicians, because cutting the programs runs the risk of alienating people hit hard by recent economic issues. The Associated Press reports the food stamp program -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- has grown to include more than 45 million people at a cost of more than $75 billion. The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting Pennsylvania has decided to implement rules that would end the benefits for certain individuals, but the new policy might set the thresholds a bit too low.

According the Inquirer, as of May 1 anyone younger than 60 with $2,000 in savings or other assets will not qualify for food stamps, and for anyone over 60 the asset test increases to $3,250. The report also states that houses, retirement funds and one car would be exempt from the test, probably because people need a place to live and a way to get to work. However, any additional car worth more than $4,650 would be counted.

The Inquirer reports the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare believes that around 2 percent of the almost 2 million Pennsylvania residents receiving food stamps would see their benefits vanish. However, the new rule would also snare anyone on the fence. The Philadelphia Tribune highlights many folks need to save that much cash for property taxes and health insurance payments, which could mean people might have choose between food and insurance. There needs to be some sort of provision for anyone that owns property, particularly seniors, to allow them to budget for taxes and repairs.

The Inquirer article mentions the change would punish anyone using the program correctly, as growth of assets is pretty much the goal. However, pulling the rug out from someone at the $2,000 level is a bit short-sighted. Allowing enough in savings to cover the amount of taxes and health insurance would seem to be a better course of action. While food stamp reform is probably needed, there is probably a way to save more money on the program.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politicsopinion/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120110/cm_ac/10813993_pennsylvania_food_stamp_asset_test_sets_the_bar_a_little_low

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