When natural gas prices dropped to Marc’s closeout-aisle levels earlier this month, the news worked Wall Street traders and energy-company bosses into a lather. But the drop may do even more damage to an unsuspecting group on the other end of the social ladder: Ohio’s food-stamp recipients.
In April, the state will readjust a factor that determines how much food assistance low-income residents get from the state — and the factor is hooked directly to natural gas prices. Assistance is calculated primarily based on the income of the applicant. But the state allows for a handful of deductions based on monthly expenses, including a “standard utility allowance” — money spent on heating and cooling.
“The fact that the state allowance exists is a good thing for food-assistance recipients, because it means the system is taking into account that they have to pay utilities,” says Benjamin Johnson, a spokesman with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. “Unfortunately, this year the allowance is smaller.”
Given that this is Ohio, where state government runs with the precision of an Arkansas possum hunt, officials still don’t have a grasp of how many food-stamp recipients will get screwed by the change.
Johnson says each county is altering its rates manually. Cuyahoga County officials didn’t return Scene’s calls seeking insight on their plans.
This article appears in Mar 21-27, 2012.
That’s an interesting concept- even though society is giving people a helping hand, we are screwing them for not giving them 2 helping hands.
I guess I’m screwing Scene by not paying for their free publication.
Hey all I know is that this winter I didn’t see my breath waking up in the morning, I also realized I LIKE waking up in a warm home!!!!!!
Unemployment compensation, Food Stamps, Hunger Networks, Welfare, social security, medicade and care, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, The Red Cross, VA assistance, Fund Raisers, Free clinics, Homeless shelters, Church charities, Charities of all kinds, Helping a family member or a friend….or helping a stranger, giving something and not wanting something in return, an act of kindness, a smile to a stranger, some understanding for a driver who made a mistake, pleasant conversation with an old person, or any person, laughter with and not at, positive communication, love of life, Holy Spirit, here and now……
Slang for consevative: repubic-hair
Slang for Liberal: Libtard
Slang for Viagra: Boner-Bean
Slang for OWS: Poop slingers
Slang for teaparty: Gone overboard pricks
Slang for 1%: Caesar
Slang for lower 80%: Slaves
Slang for old folks: Short-timers