Food Stamps Essay Example
Food Stamps Essay Example

Food Stamps Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (631 words)
  • Published: April 3, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The government has many funds going across the United States to help support the residents of its country. Food stamps, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is a resource that provides people with a way to buy food if they don’t have the money to do so. This aid is given in different forms such as a LINK card, cash and/or paper that resembles money but can be redeemed for food.Most people that use this resource are having hardships in their lives. The USDA ( U.S Department of Agriculture) states that nearly 40 million Americans are being fed by this program.( "Food Stamps.")

As of a lot of issues in the world, there are going to be pros and cons to the food stamp program. This program gives the option for cash, food and me

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dical benefits. Anyone can get it as long as requirements are made. One doesn’t have to choose to apply for all but can do so anyways. Some people are not approved for all benefits but can be approved for one, mainly the food stamps.

Nutrition is one of the main reasons this program was made. Many people are getting insufficient foods and nutrients because they don’t have enough money.People apply and can get from $96-$136 per person per month. (“PO 105.6: Food Stamps.”) Having kids can be a benefit because more money is given per child. As of 2004 the average amount a month a person can get is $326.

(Marie Thibodeaux, Wanda.) This allows people to purchase groceries and supply themselves and/or families with the health and nutrients they need to survive.

Many businesses have

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signs outside of their stores stating “We accept LINK,” which means they allow SNAP beneficiaries to use their stamps there to purchase food. On the contrary, not all stores have to accept it. It is their choice.

Along with many benefits, there are many contradictions to this program. Although the incentive of the program was to raise the nutrition intake, it is not regulated. ("Food Stamps.") That means people can basically buy, for example, $200 worth of pure junk food. Items like chips, candy, chocolate, soda are not healthy. That is not what the program was intended for. It is contributing to the high rate of obesity. Also, one can only but unprepared food with the benefits. So any already cooked food cannot be bought, which is a con because cooked food can be a great source for nutrition.

Food stamp benefits do not have a great social standing. “Because of previous abuse of the system such as selling food stamps to buy cigarettes, there is a social stigma with receiving funds.” (Marie Thibodeaux, Wanda.) People feel that persons on food stamps are lazy and don’t want to work. They take advantage of the free money that is given to them and just rely on that. Some people use food stamps as a marketing scheme on the streets. Selling the benefits to other people for cash is illegal. A lot of people are doing it to trade for other things.

Another con is that not every low income family can receive the benefits. When applying, credentials are needed; proof of income and other documentation is needed. It is not a sure thing that every application is approved even

if one is considered low income.

In conclusion, the government has programs that use the states funds to support it. It provides help for people in need of certain resources. There are going to be positive and negative aspects of it but it is still a consistent program and it has been for years. It’s working on any accommodations it can make but it’s not going to be perfect.

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