The recent CUT in SNAP benefits for nearly 48 million Americans translates into $5 billion less in federal spending assisting the economy over the next 10 months. The boost to benefits in the Economic Recovery Act was meant to stimulate the economy, with every SNAP dollar generating $1.70 in economic activity. SNAP participation skyrocketed during the recession, and the continued high unemployment rate has kept the need for the program high. Both House and Senate versions of a new Farm Bill propose cutting even more. While it’s alarming that so many Americans receive SNAP/Food Stamps, Congress should not mistake “a symptom of the economy’s problems for its cause,” an LA Times editorial concludes.
Source: LA Times, 11/3/13, SNAP & the Economy
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