PUBLIC BENEFITS: FOOD/NUTRITION
The center focuses on health care access, immigrants' access to services, food and nutrition, the state's eligibility and enrollment system, and TANF.
Recent Food/Nutrition Publications
Food Stamp Demand on the Rise, Over 3 Million Still Getting Benefits (11/26/2002)
This Policy Page examines recent trends in the Food Stamp Program, the economic impact of improving program access and participation, and the effect caseload growth will have on the state budget. County estimates of the number of Texans eligible for Food Stamps and the potential benefit revenue Texas would receive if more eligible families participated are also included.
Farm Bill Gives States New Food Stamp Options (07/12/2002)
This Policy Page summarizes the nutrition provisions in the Farm Bill and the options for states to simplify access to Food Stamps.
Good News, Bad News for Food Stamps in Congress (05/15/2002)
On Monday, May 13, President Bush signed the 2002 Farm Bill (The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002), which
includes significant improvements in the Food Stamp Program. The nutrition title of the Farm Bill simplifies enrollment in the Food Stamp Program, increases benefits for larger families, restores benefits to many legal immigrants, reforms the Quality
Control system by which state performance is evaluated, and authorizes an increase in funding for The Emergency Food
Assistance Program (more detail on these changes is forthcoming). The nutrition title of the Farm Bill is being referred to as the most important piece of Food Stamp legislation since the landmark 1977 Act, 25 years ago. Unfortunately, this victory for antihunger advocates has been overshadowed by two proposals in the welfare reauthorization bill (H.R. 4700) that would do major damage to the Food Stamp Program and potentially undercut all the positive changes made in the Farm Bill. This Policy Page explains these proposals and urges our readers to contact their Representatives immediately to ask them to vote against H.R. 4700.
Clarification on Food Stamp Resource Test (05/14/2002)
In Policy Page #149, which addressed new Food Stamp Program rules regarding vehicle limits and the resource test, we incorrectly reported that an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) would no longer be counted as a resource in
determining a family's eligibility for Food Stamps. In fact, because they are considered a liquid resource, IRAs are still
counted toward the new $5,000 resource limit established in February. Under the new policy, most non-liquid resources are not counted, while most liquid resources are. This Policy Page provides additional detail on how resources are now treated in the Food Stamp Program.
More Support Needed for Nutrition Funding in Farm Bill (04/12/2002)
Before the Easter recess in March, House and Senate conferees agreed to $6.4 billion over 10 years for the nutrition title of the Farm Bill. When they started meeting again earlier this week to decide which specific provisions to fund, the debate on legal immigrant benefit restorations really heated up.
Consequently, these restorations are in jeopardy.
Conferees Agree to $6.4 Billion for Farm Bill Nutrition Title (03/28/2002)
Congressional House and Senate conferees on the 2001 Farm Bill (H.R. 2646) have set funding for the nutrition title at $6.4 billion over the next 10 years. While lower than the $8.9 billion proposed in the original Senate version of the bill,
this is a definite victory for anti-hunger advocates, who fought to increase funding for the nutrition title from the $3.6
billion allocated in the House bill. The fight is far from over, however, with conferees set to make final decisions over
specific Food Stamp and other nutrition program provisions when they return from the Easter recess on April 8. This Policy Page outlines steps readers can take can take between now and April 8 to support nutrition program improvements.
Food Stamp Reauthorization Moves Forward (02/27/2002)
This Policy Page summarizes the nutrition provisions in the Farm Bills and urges readers to contact their Members
of Congress immediately in support of positive changes in the Food Stamp Program.
New Food Stamp Rules Take Effect (02/5/2002)
At its December meeting, the Texas Board of Human Services approved final Food Stamp rules that 1) raise the vehicle limit on one car from $4,650 to $15,000, 2) exempt all other NON-liquid resources, and 3) establish a higher resource limit of $5,000 for liquid resources (i.e., bank accounts). The new standards apply to all applications completed after February 15. Exemptions from the finger imaging requirement for certain seniors and persons with disabilities are also now in effect. This Policy Page explains the changes and contains links to education materials that can be used by service providers and community-based organizations to publicize the new rules to clients.
Flyer: Rules Regarding Food Stamps and Vehicles Have Changed (01/1/2002)
In February, the rules changed. You may now qualify for....
Flyer: Rules Regarding Food Stamps and Vehicles Have Changed (En Espanol) (01/1/2002)
En febrero 2002, las reglas han cambiado. Ahora usted puede calificar para . . .
Flyer: You May be Able to Apply for Food Stamps Over the Phone (01/1/2002)
You may qualify for a telephone interview, if you cannot come to the
office to apply for food stamps.
Flyer: You May be Able to Apply for Food Stamps Over the Phone (En Espanol) (01/1/2002)
Usted puede calificar para una entrevista por telefono, si usted no puede venir a la oficina para aplicar
para estampillas de comida.
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