Stigma Drops for Food Stamp Use

How could it not, we assume, when 1 in 8 Americans are now relying on the program?

We've written a ton here about food stamps, so the reality of how much food stamp use has increased is no big surprise to us. Use is still highest among high-poverty areas, but growth is greatest in more affluent areas, incl. places with new housing developments now rocked by foreclosures. What's most interesting in the NY Times article in the first link above is the assertion that the stigma of food stamp use has declined.

A closer reading of the article suggests otherwise. Two profiled users, both fathers and husbands, admit to using the stamps in desperation but one is too ashamed to tell anyone and the other sees his situation as different from the irresponsible, freeloading poor (women) who are relying on the benefits. We've got a long way to go to help these men hold their heads up high and see the solidarity with other Americans struggling to get by.

Another key takeaway from this article is the difference in promotion and recruitment to help household access eligible benefits when it is a federal versus state program. Because food stamps are paid for entirely by the federal government, many states are actively promoting the program to eligible households. This is in sharp contrast to unemployment benefits and public assistance, for which the states are responsible. For those usage is much lower than the proportion of the population eligible for the programs.

Food stamps have been expanded and promoted by Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. It's extremely likely you know at least one household that relies on them, if it's not your own. We need to keep highlighting their ubiquity and necessity so that we can erase the shame that goes from relying on our social safety net. It's part of why we have a government. And on-going evidence that we are facing a hunger crisis here in the US.

(Photo by kthread)