Food Stamps

In classic tart fashion I am seeing no repsonse to back up the claim made so I will go ahead an outline the "rigorous" process for you.

In order to expedite this rigorous process the department has even included forms and info online for the people who cant feed their familes but can afford to have a computer, internet connection, and a printer.

http://www.dhs.gov.vi/financial_programs/documents/Combined_Food_and_Cash_Application_Form.pdf

http://www.dhs.gov.vi/financial_programs/FoodandCashApplicationChecklist.pdf

You go to the food stamp office and submit the application. Most likely you will be given a short date to return with your documents.

They want to know about your income, assets, expenses, and who in your household will be benefiting from the food stamps. I think these are all reasonable requirements. You will sit with a worker and go over all these documents. After a short period of time you will get a debit card that will be loaded with money on the 1st of the month plus whatever you had coming for the current month.

You may be required to document a job search while getting benefits and attend a class at the DOL.

There you have the rigorous process of getting food stamps

Also the food stamp office in St Croix is located next to a nice park, so feel free to take a walk in the park before or after your visit. You may find that your walk in the park is more rigorous than the application process.

"It's not a walk in the park by any remote stretch, the processing is rigorous, detailed"

Please elaborate then on what makes it so difficult..........

I'm a very private person where some things are concerned with my current situation being one major instance. However, despite what I perceive as a combative tone from you, I'll answer your question as best as I'm willing and able. After I closed my business, circumstances befell me over which I had no control whatsoever, I became unable to take on employment, exhausted all my meager savings in a year and, although in that timeframe I became eligible at 66 for full SS benefits, that alone can barely support a guppy. Not once in 50 years of being continuously employed have I ever applied for any sort of assistance, not even unemployment benefits, and it both was and and remains a very unsettling and precarious situation to deal with. I've always been fiercely independent through many ups and downs and have always managed to keep my head above water.

There remains a faint light at the end of a dark tunnel and, although there are no guarantees, you may rest assured that as soon as I'm able to live without the $101/month I'm currently receiving on the SNAP program, I'll be more than happy to sign myself out of it. Rigorous/detailed/humbling are relevant adjectives and I find it hard to believe that if you've applied to the program this would come as any surprise to you.

During many long hours spent in the waiting room at the SNAP office on St Thomas, I saw first hand some of the system abusers who stood out like sore thumbs. I also saw those truly in need who were the majority - the elderly, the infirm and the psychologically challenged. The caseworkers know the system abusers and, as short staffed as they are, try and get them off the system as best they can.

Yes, Rotorhead, I know all about the "in children" and "out children" situation. You have to go way back in history to the slave trade days to understand the mentality which was passed down over the years but has now pretty much faded out and continues to diminish with each succeeding generation. I've had many long conversations with a few old timers over the years who had the "in" and "out" children - but those I spoke to DID support their children without government intervention. When the US welfare system came into play there was of course huge abuse of it. Much of that abuse has been dealt with and substantially reduced over the ensuing years but, as with any other system, it's not faultless. It's complicated but it isn't cause to denigrate a whole social system.

In classic tart fashion I am seeing no repsonse to back up the claim made so I will go ahead an outline the "rigorous" process for you.

So sorry it took me a while to compose and respond ...

Well Oldtart you made a statement

"I think a lot of misconceptions would be put to rest if those who would see an end to government subsidies in the form of food stamps, etc. actually fell on hard times and were forced to go through the whole application process. It's not a walk in the park by any remote stretch, the processing is rigorous, detailed and humbling"

Correct me if I am wrong but the point of your statement is that the process to get food stamps is difficult and that if people were to experience it they would see that.

So I laid out the process for everyone because it is very simple which contradicts the claim that you made. I asked you to elaborate on your claim and all you did was reply with a long drawn out account of why you needed food stamps and that you hope to get off them soon. You did not say anything that backs up your claim that it is a difficult process.

I would also like to point out that you engaged me in a "combative tone" when you asked me if I am speaking from personal experience or heresay. So far I have backed up my claim with facts. Can you?

Also Oldtart I am interested to know how you define an "abuser" of the system and how they stick out like a sore thumb.

If I take pride in myself and go to the office clean shaven and dressed nice does that make me an abuser?

Or if I go in looking like a bum not shaved and showered dressed with dirty sneakers and clothes does that make me an abuser?

Everyone getting assistance has to qualify, so I am curious how you determine that they are abusers. What makes them "stick out like a sore thumb"?

I didn't "engage you in a combative tone" at all. I responded to your question as best as I felt able and you obviously fail to see the point I was making. Obviously your experience of the process applying for SNAP benefits was rather different from mine (if indeed you ever did apply and were given that benefit).

I disagree wholeheartedly that the process for SNAP benefits is "simple". It's not. You can argue until the goat-dem come home but in the process you're not contributing to this thread with any relevant data or personal experience to support your stance. Seems that I've been there recently and you haven't. I've no personal problem with you. Just take a breath and both read and digest before retaliating. I'm not the enemy here.

Yes, Rotorhead, I know all about the "in children" and "out children" situation. You have to go way back in history to the slave trade days to understand the mentality which was passed down over the years but has now pretty much faded out and continues to diminish with each succeeding generation. I've had many long conversations with a few old timers over the years who had the "in" and "out" children - but those I spoke to DID support their children without government intervention. When the US welfare system came into play there was of course huge abuse of it. Much of that abuse has been dealt with and substantially reduced over the ensuing years but, as with any other system, it's not faultless. It's complicated but it isn't cause to denigrate a whole social system.

You make excuses without providing solutions. It has been at least 5 generations since there was slavery in the islands. Many of the inside outside arrangements that I am aware of are not old timers. Some support their children to varying degrees and not equally between inside and outside. Some have walked away from one of their families.

You seem to think that the problem is going to cure itself. Please state your source for this. What programs are actively trying to fix this problem. What makes you think the abuse has been dealt with? Please state sources.

Well Oldtart people can decide for themselves who to believe here. I have my account and have facts to back it up. You have your account but have not provided any facts to back it up and therefore do not have credibility on the subject. I just hope that you do not make these type of factless statements on the general moving forum as people may believe what you say even though its not true. Its good that their are people like me around to keep people like you in check.

What do you think of this?

"In the past 10 years alone, Americans have given Israel the equivalent of approximately $200,000 per Israeli family of five. In addition, there have been weapons subsidies, loan forgiveness programs, special trade preferences, and other generous gifts from American taxpayers to Israel. In fact, despite being one of the world’ smallest nations, Israel receives more U.S. tax money than any other country. "

Israel was the largest recipient of US tax money with Egypt a fairly close second. Until recently. Now it is Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Afghanistan remained the top recipient of total U.S. economic and military assistance—both obligations and disbursements—for a third consecutive year. Iraq had held the top spot from 2003 to 2007."
http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov/data/fast-facts.html

If you check my comments on the "aiding and abetting" thread I also advocate that we do a little nation building at home before continuing to spend such large sums overseas.

BTW: I really like it if you make statements like the above quote about Israel that you include a link to your source so that we all know where you get your info. Thanks.

Why did we give $83 to Iceland?

OK, no problem.

BTW, why the borderline fanaticism about Israel? I thought you were an admitted atheist...do you now believe that God gave Israel the right to occupy Palestine?

@oldtart ...thank you for sharing. I believe you speak for many.anyone us can be in thisur situation at any point in our lives due to unexpected circumstances.....layoff,serious illness or injury, divorce, mental illness, loss of a spouse......many more people then not are a paycheck or two from financial disaster..it doesn't take much. A few weeks or months withou working can be devastating for a family.I don't have time to do the research but I believe the "welfare queens "are few and far between . Very few people want to "live" off govt assist.its not as if you living luxuriously.
@gringo..you mention we are off topic...you bring up the words"food stamps"...really, what did you expect was going to happen?

BTW, why the borderline fanaticism about Israel? I thought you were an admitted atheist...do you now believe that God gave Israel the right to occupy Palestine?

What the hell are you talking about? What borderline fanaticism about Israel? Where did you get this idea?

I am an atheist and I believe in god about as much as I believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

Edited to add: "What the hell" is just an expression left over from a religious upbringing. I don't believe in an afterlife, so heaven and hell are also imaginary to me.

Yes Sheiba we are off topic. Good thing this is the "off-topic" section of the forum!

BTW, why the borderline fanaticism about Israel? I thought you were an admitted atheist...do you now believe that God gave Israel the right to occupy Palestine?

What the hell are you talking about? What borderline fanaticism about Israel? Where did you get this idea?

I am an atheist and I believe in god about as much as I believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

Edited to add: "What the hell" is just an expression left over from a religious upbringing. I don't believe in an afterlife, so heaven and hell are also imaginary to me.

OK...I guess you did clarify that this is NOT your quote:

"

Quote
rotorhead

"In the past 10 years alone, Americans have given Israel the equivalent of approximately $200,000 per Israeli family of five. In addition, there have been weapons subsidies, loan forgiveness programs, special trade preferences, and other generous gifts from American taxpayers to Israel. In fact, despite being one of the world’ smallest nations, Israel receives more U.S. tax money than any other

Singling out a true ally in Israel, and ignoring the billions we give Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, etc., while not understanding the reasons why we give money to countries is troubling in 2012. Any American who isn't squarely behind Israel's struggle in that region, and anyone who views Hamas as victims is grossly uneducated on the subject."

I'd be correct in interpreting the bolded statement as bordering on fanaticism...whoever authored it.

Maybe you should rename the "Jesus Nut" on you 'copter to "Darwin Nut" or "Eugenics Nut"...:D

"One of helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky’s mechanics was heard to say, “We better pray to Jesus that nut holds the whole thing together!”
The nut did, in fact, hold the whole thing together and Sikorsky’s first successful helicopter, the VS-300, flew that day. Ever since, helicopter
people have known that nut as “The Jesus Nut”.

Oh boy we are really about to go off topic......

And curious as to the silence from Oldtart now....

Its funny how people run and hide when they are exposed

Sometimes you just have to know when to walk away.

Yes when you have been exposed and can no longer defend yourself there arent that many options

OK...I guess you did clarify that this is NOT your quote:

Maybe you should rename the "Jesus Nut" on you 'copter to "Darwin Nut" or "Eugenics Nut"...:D

"One of helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky’s mechanics was heard to say, “We better pray to Jesus that nut holds the whole thing together!”
The nut did, in fact, hold the whole thing together and Sikorsky’s first successful helicopter, the VS-300, flew that day. Ever since, helicopter
people have known that nut as “The Jesus Nut”.

Apology accepted.

On my helicopter this was called the Main Rotor Hub Bolt. There were three identical ones. One which held each of the two main rotor blades to the hub assembly and one which held the main rotor hub assembly to the main rotor shaft. A failure of any one would be a disaster. They were checked before every flight.

Yes when you have been exposed and can no longer defend yourself there arent that many options

Holy naked mother of bob. This thread is enlightening...

. Are you pro or con govt assist?

I guess the answer is yes. I am for qualified government assistance. As I have indicated twice, I believe people should put in a 40 hour week in order to get a check (this does not include those who are disabled and not capable). I am NOT for the current government assistance - there is too much fraud. I do believe there are more people scamming the system than truly need it. This is based on my personal experience and input from a couple of social workers that I know. I would do some serious research on the subject, however, I do not believe that any true/accurate statistics exist on the issue or the government would have to admit the system doesn't work as it is. Plus, I have to get ready for my 40-50 hour work week coming up! Just my opinion and experience.

Yes when you have been exposed and can no longer defend yourself there arent that many options

When I fail to respond within 15 minutes of one of your posts you condemn my lack of immediate response as being "classic tart fashion". When my response which overlapped your sarcasm appears you in turn eventually respond to it and attack my "account" as being meritless because it doesn't jibe with yours (which you have yet to relate). And then when I fail to immediately respond to jibes from another poster and from you, up pop two more assumptive rude comments. My humble apologies for obviously upsetting you so much by not staying on line and glued to this forum all ready to respond to your next little barrage.

There is indeed a time to walk away but not for the reasons you've come up with.

In classic tart fashion I am seeing no repsonse to back up the claim made so I will go ahead an outline the "rigorous" process for you.

In order to expedite this rigorous process the department has even included forms and info online for the people who cant feed their familes but can afford to have a computer, internet connection, and a printer.

http://www.dhs.gov.vi/financial_programs/documents/Combined_Food_and_Cash_Application_Form.pdf

http://www.dhs.gov.vi/financial_programs/FoodandCashApplicationChecklist.pdf

You go to the food stamp office and submit the application. Most likely you will be given a short date to return with your documents.

They want to know about your income, assets, expenses, and who in your household will be benefiting from the food stamps. I think these are all reasonable requirements. You will sit with a worker and go over all these documents. After a short period of time you will get a debit card that will be loaded with money on the 1st of the month plus whatever you had coming for the current month.

You may be required to document a job search while getting benefits and attend a class at the DOL.

There you have the rigorous process of getting food stamps

Perhaps the process is more "rigorous" for non-U.S. citizens. I'm wondering how does a green card holder apply for food stamps and subsidized housing. I know the gov gives assistance to US born children through alien patents. But I'm wondering how single foreign nationals get US welfare?

Perhaps the process is more "rigorous" for non-U.S. citizens. I'm wondering how does a green card holder apply for food stamps and subsidized housing. I know the gov gives assistance to US born children through alien patents. But I'm wondering how single foreign nationals get US welfare?

"Prior to the 1996 welfare reforms under the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act, most legal immigrants who had settled in the United
States were eligible for food stamps just like citizens. With the 1996 welfare reforms,
most legal immigrants lost eligibility even if they had been in the country when the law
was passed on August 22, 1996. In 1998, Congress began restoring food stamp eligibility
to legal immigrants who were in the United States before August 22, 1996 and were
elderly, are children, or are disabled. With the enactment of the 2002 Farm Bill, major
groups of legal immigrants will again be eligible for food stamps including legal
immigrants arriving in the United States after 1996. In October 2002, eligibility was
restored to all legal immigrants receiving disability benefits. In April 2003, qualified
aliens who have lived in the country for five years regain eligibility and in October 2003,
eligibility is restored to all qualified children without a waiting period."
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/rules/Legislation/pdfs/Non_Citizen_Guidance.pdf

Illegal aliens also qualify for assistance if at least one member of the household is a US citizen. So if you can sneek into the US and have a child the whole household qualifies.

Thanks. So I guess, If someone has lived in the USA legally for five years or is disabled, they qualify. Does the USA bill back their native country? USA citizens living in the UK can't collect benefits.
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Oldtart if I was wrong in my assumption that you were not responding because you were ducking and hiding then I sincerely apologize.

Sometimes its hard for me to understand that someone may have better things to do on a beautiful day in the USVI than sit glued to their computer and post on this super fun discussion forum!

With that being said, you say that I discount your account as meritless because it doesnt jive with mine. The problem with that claim is that you did not give your account, therefore it does not have any merit. You did not explain WHY it is such a difficult process to get food stamps. You did not provide ANY facts to back up your statement.

Then you go on to say I have yet to relate my account. I outlined the process in detail and even provided links to docs to back up my claim. So did you not read what I wrote?

Also we had a debate on corporal punishment a while back and when exposed on that thread you decided to duck and hide. So seeing as you have a history of being unable to defend yourself I wasnt totally off in thinking you were running away scared.

I will patiently await your response this time:-)