NM proposes to eliminate food stamp supplements for low-income elderly, disabled

SANTA FE, N.M. — About 4,000 low-income elderly and disabled New Mexicans will see their food stamp benefits drop in July due to state budget cuts.

Gov. Susana Martinez's administration plans to end a state program that supplements federal food stamp benefits for the elderly and disabled to ensure they get at least $25 a month in assistance.

"That's 4,000 seniors who will have less money for food. That's the impact," Ruth Hoffman, director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in New Mexico, said on Tuesday.

New Mexicans who qualify for $16 a month in federal food stamps — currently the minimum amount from the federal government — also get an extra $9 a month from the state to make certain their combined assistance is $25. But the Democratic-controlled Legislature provided no money to continue the supplemental benefits in the upcoming budget year, which starts July 1. The Martinez administration had requested $600,000 from the Legislature to continue the program.

Read more: http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/1b6b9cc942254522a2f243eae700396e/NM--Food-Stamps/

:wtf:

I'm sure those who need it will take the $16, but what the hell is $16 a month supposed to do for someone? I understand some may only need a little bit of help, I'm not saying the minimum benefit should be $1000 or $750 a month but $16? WTF

I would be better off if they still gave away the cheese and bags of rice and other staples. If they handed out bags of four and powdered milk and beans, I wouldn't need their $16.

Just do the math on this, $9/month times 12 months a year, times 4,000 people. Then subtract that from $600,000, and you quickly see you have 28% overhead, and that's on a program that is already in place.

Giving the needy piddling amounts of assistance is just so that government workers will have something to do.

they are viewed as parasites on the system. Yet the real parasites, the banksters, the crooks and the rest are allow to thrive and handsomely rewarded. Give it a few more years and most Americans will be living on the streets.

to fend for themselves. I wish the citizens of this country would wake up to the extreme disservice being done to this country. This country isn't going anyplace in the 21st century.

:grr:

Their message: Do the right thing and die off quietly.

Democrats control the Roundhouse.

the Legislature decided how much funding would be available in the kitty and the
Governor decided where the cutbacks would be made. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Article IV, Section 30 of the NM constitution, states that appropriations originate in the legislature. They are required to specify the sum to be spent and the specific program the appropriation is applied to. In other words, if a program isn't funded, it's because the legislature did not provide the money.

I turned 60 in January, lost my job last July, have applied for 20plus jobs...applied for food stamps in April. I'm not how or if this will effect me, but it is weird to be collecting food stamps and knowing how vulnerable I am.

I live in southern NM, very fundamentalist, militaristic, Republican, but they need my progressive, liberal voice here (or at least that's what I tell myself!).