Food Stamps Article (Draft 1) Emily Katz

Food Stamps Replacing Meal Plans for Some Students

Emily Katz

April 11, 2011

One-dollar pizza slices, $2 falafel sandwiches, $1 dumplings—these are what Peter*, a 23-year old college student currently living on the New York State Unemployment Insurance Benefits, purchases with the monthly food stamps he receives.

As the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity Poverty Measure 2005-2009 report shows, the likelihood of an individual to fall into poverty decreases as his or her level of education rises. Compared with the 30.4 percent poverty rate for individuals with less than a high school degree and the 21.7 percent for those with a high school degree, New Yorkers with some college degree experienced a 14.9 percent poverty rate in 2009.

However, contrary to the data from the report, it is not longer an anomaly for degree-seeking New Yorkers like Peter to be living off of food stamps.

“It’s not as uncommon as you may think. About 3% of our students are using food stamps,” said Claire Davis, a Psychologist at the NYU Health Center.

In New York State, a person with a monthly income of less than $1174 may be eligible for food stamps or other tax aid. “The Food Stamps program is one of the most important income support programs in the United States,” said Daniel Scheer, a City Research Scientist at the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity and the co-author of the Poverty Measure 2005-2009 report published in March.

However, students typically don’t qualify to receive aid from the Food Stamp program because it is largely designed to help low-income families with children and the elderly. Therefore, in order to qualify for food stamp aid, students have to meet certain eligibility rules that can vary from state to state.

According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistant, most students between the ages of 18 and 49 are not eligible for food stamps unless they qualify under circumstances such as coming from single-parent families or are taking care of a person with disabilities. Students also have to meet a work requirement of at least 20 hours a week or take part in a work-study program. In addition, there are restrictions on what aid, how much, and how long an able-boded person can be on food stamps.

Interestingly enough, students are not finding it difficult to go on food stamps despite the status restrictions. Peter recounts his process of getting his EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card as one that was “actually quite simple.” He recounted his trip the benefit card office in his district and how he had to provide the necessary documents such as proof of New York State residency, proof of U.S. citizenship, and proof of current income (or the lack there of, as he was unemployed at the time). He was on food stamps by the end of the day.

“I receive roughly $200 a month, which helps me pay for the majority of my essential groceries,” said Peter.

The question then arises as to whether one can realistically live off of $200 a month on food stamp aid. According to Mr. Scheer, the food stamp budget is calculated by the United States Department of Agriculture based on the price of food in the market place and the lowest cost for a nutritious diet.

Health-care professional are seeking to address the emotional stress of students on food stamps. Having to live off of $200 a month for food, work 20 hours a week, and attend school at least half-time, students need an outlet. Dr. Suzzane Feinstein, who works in midtown Manhattan in Behavioral Health services, argues that those on food stamps should receive services such as therapy, and at the NYU Health center, those using food stamps can join support groups and attend individual therapy sessions.

With students receiving aid from food stamps even as they are pursuing their degrees, it remains unclear as to how they will lean off the program upon graduation and through their working years. As the CEO Poverty Measure report stated, New Yorkers with a Bachelors degree or higher still experienced a 7.5 percent poverty rate in 2009, demonstrating that education does not guarantee anyone with a one-way ticket out of poverty.

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