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2.5 Million Floridians On Food Stamps

February 7, 2012 by · Comments Off on 2.5 Million Floridians On Food Stamps 

2.5 Million Floridians On Food Stamps, More than 2.5 million Floridians are on food stamps, up from three years ago where 1.2 million residents received assistance.

That’s according to records kept by the Department of Children and Families, which administers the program.

DCF Secretary George Sheldon told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Tuesday that Florida’s food stamp rolls grew the fastest in the nation since 2007. Florida’s food stamp numbers hit a low in April 2007, when the state paid out $109.9 million to 1.2 million residents. Back then, 6.4 percent of the state population was on food stamps.

To qualify, Floridians must make 133 percent of the federal poverty level or less. For a family of four, that’s just under $29,000 a year.

Maximum monthly benefits are $200 for one person and $668 for a four-member family.

Food Stamp Ban Sweets

February 7, 2012 by · Comments Off on Food Stamp Ban Sweets 

Food Stamp Ban Sweets, A Florida lawmaker is pushing a bill that would ban the use of food stamps to purchase snacks and sweets like cookies and cakes.

Republican Sen. Ronda Storms of Valrico says she wants to stop the small percentage of recipients who misuse food stamps. Her bill would also require the state to start a program to teach food stamp recipients about healthy eating and how making your own products like cakes is cheaper than buying store-made. The bill is moving through committees.

The bill’s critics say the government shouldn’t be telling people what to eat. Democratic Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed of Pompano Beach also says the educational provision is demeaning to minorities and the poor by implying they aren’t smart enough to make their own choices.

Today we spoke with several people that use food stamps for their take on this bill. Shawanda Alvin considers herself lucky to have food stamps.

“I thank God, I’m blessed to have them,” said Alvin.

Alvin says in a tough economy they are a big help to her every month. Though she tries to focus on buying the healthy stuff, but every so often caves-in.

“I do want a little junk food in my life,” said Alvin.

Amira Waites uses food stamps and believes an all-out ban on treats doesn’t make sense.

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