Most of us, as Thanksgiving approaches, have images in our minds of glistening turkeys, heaping spoonfuls of potatoes and yams, and a glorious spread of pies and other desserts. But for the neediest among us who receive food stamps, these holiday victuals are a luxury they cannot afford.
But according to the NY Times, as a result of a class-action lawsuit brought by the Urban Justice Center, many of the city’s neediest households were surprised to find their food stamps accounts boosted and unexpectedly could properly celebrate the holiday.
What prompted the lawsuit was that with welfare reform enacted in 1996, the city pushed mentally and physically disabled individuals out of welfare, which began to subject recipients to a 5-year time limit, into the SSI program which is without a time limit. During the transition, however, many poor people were cut off from food stamps, even though federal law explictly allows them to receive both.
The amount of benefits that could be recouped under the settlement was limited to 21 months. The settlement was delayed for a year while it was approved by the court and the Department of Agriculture, which is in charge of the food stamp program.
The article reports how one person is planning to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving which she had not done in two years. Another recipient was in tears as she described her surprise at discovering an additional $444 in her account that she used, in part, to buy a ham which she would ordinarily be unable to afford. And another person bought $64 in food for neighbors who were in need.
“I have $100 left,” he said, “But it is the holidays and I would give it away. You see, my refrigerator is already full.”
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