Expected but not appreciated

[Dave's Not Here Man]

www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/virginia-emergency-snap-benefits-will-soon-end-for-good-decreasing-total-assistance/

If you can't feed your kids don't have them.
If you don't work you don't eat.
How much can food cost anyway?
#suckstobeyou
#bootstraps


Not feeling real good for people who were vulnerable before the pandemic, these benefits were the only thing positive they got out of it and now they're going to be even worse off than back then because of inflation.

Before you think that's the worst of it, the recent SSI COLA will take many people out of eligibility for anything at all.

[minx]

Don't worry John - our esteemed guvn'r is going to pass a tax cut!

I'm sure that extra $50/mo will cover the loss of SNAP benefits. Oh wait. That extra $50 is going to people who can afford food. My bad.

One of the 'best' things about the pandemic was the free lunch program expansion - kids could go to a specific pickup point and get a lunch and breakfast for the next day, no questions asked. Program ran for kids in preschool up to HS. Didn't even have to say your school - just come to the pop-up tent and get a lunch. I worked the table a few times while I was on partial furlough, and the kids were so happy - for a few it looked like this was the first time they were ever able to just grab a lunch with no questions asked. It did take some manpower, as the tables and tents had to be set up and volunteers added to work them. But I can't see how it wouldn't be something doable on a regular basis with paid workers.

I would truly love to force these lawmakers to live off SNAP and unemployment benefits (I'm not totally mean - I'd leave them with income) for at least 6 months and see how far they'd get. Let their kids experience what it's like to be on free or reduced lunch (or better yet, always put them in a position where their lunch money is going to run out and they'll get the guvment cheese), and let them try to decide what is more valuable - internet or cell service? Should they pay electric or water?

And yeah, I wouldn't cut them mercy in terms of a forbearance on rent or car payments either - let them try negotiating with the banks.

Then they can vote on shafting others.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

Not for nothing but Brandon canceled the federal COVID emergency too, which means he's clueless as fuckn the rest of them. Oh well, maybe he'll sign something to help ease inflation so we serfs can afford meat again some day....................

Other programs that were either set up or bolstered during what we all think of as the worst of it (pandemic), are going to get cut off wherever federally funded and mandated programs were holding us up. Not mandated by fed but I expect Virginia's Medicaid expansion to be on the block here soon. Not sure what the status of our legislature is, but if and when it flips back to -R, the good old days of getting everyone covered is over.

Some people don't grasp the concept of what it means to "tighten their belts" let alone go without. Expect the already heavy dependence on food banks and various pantries to multiply in the coming months.

[minx]

It already is. Normally on a Saturday we have about 12 people come in for food. Now it's up to 20. And most people come in on Tuesday or Thursday, so we're the 'light' day.

And you're definitely not living large on those food boxes. The week before last we finally got cheese - 1/2 pound of Feta per family. Most people were looking at it with a WTH look on their faces, as they didn't know what to do with it. I did tell a bunch of people about the whole tiktok hack where you put cherry or grape tomatoes, and a sliced onion on a baking sheet, drizzle with some oil, salt and pepper then place the block of cheese in the center and bake. Once it comes out, mash it all together and serve over pasta. It's not bad.

But man, I'd be lost trying to make something with a lot of this food.

And just wait until the rest of the baby boomers are forced into retirement and only have SS to rely on. Not gonna be fun.

[k9krap]

I believe Brandon was getting pressure from boneheaded Congress to cancel, but they wanted it done immediately.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

I wonder how much pressure they're putting on him to send tens of billions of dollars into defending Ukraine. 

[minx]

Not sure, but I think I remember reading this morning that Biden is finally saying "Put up or shut up" to McCarthy and the Republicans. Told them to produce a copy of their budget showing what cuts they would make since they don't want to raise the debt ceiling.

About damn time - that should be done on day 1!

[Dave's Not Here Man]

I FINALLY saw a -D in the news yesterday who is drafting a bill that addresses a more robust safety net, to make it a short story. Up to that point I have seen no "liberals" expressing much interest in what might be a golden opportunity to make a statement that we as Democrats want to preserve the middle class and move those in poverty out of it. Starting today by making all of the programs bolstered during pandemic permanent for those that qualifies pre-pandemic, as the result of the pandemic, and in spite of the pandemic.

[minx]

A Democrat? As in a lonely only? Jesus Christ.

I'd say that they should talk more about the guidelines, but I don't think it would help.
Family of 3 can make no more than $29,500(roughly - definitely not $30K) gross and the most they can get is around $750. Buuuut, there's all sorts of formulas for calculating that $750, so most get around $600.

But of course, that would cue the cries of Republicans claiming they can feed a family of 10 for that amount each month

[Dave's Not Here Man]

Example: My SSDI amount minus stupid little deductions like the utility bills (note: no deductions for rent/mortgage/insurances) and we qualified for $16 a month. But I was unhindered and said fine, send it. Then the previous governor made them do the right thing so we went to the max under that law. Heeeeeuge difference. Now next month, we're essentially going to have to budget about 30% of my SSDI for food, and when the medicaid cans me I'll be having to decide on Medicare Part B at another 200 a month.

[minx]

Yeah, assholes don't realize shit.

When I work the food pantry, I see a lot of people on SSI (which pays even less than SSDI) - I honestly don't know how they're surviving.