State revamp of food stamps broadens eligibility

Author: Grady Ross

In an economic climate that many are comparing to the Great Depression, the state of Vermont is revamping its food stamp program - a program that found its start in that first major period of financial distress. Renamed 3SquaresVT, the new program is designed to reach out to more Vermonters than ever in an effort state administrators hope will extend help to a quickly broadening population in need.

Most importantly, the threshold at which citizens become eligible for food stamps has been more inculusive. Before Jan. 1, hopeful applicants were required to have an income at or below 130 percent of the poverty level. Since Governor Jim Douglas enacted the new program, the income eligibility level is now at 185 percent below the poverty line, opening the opportunity to a more extensive pool of Vermonters. In a phone interview, Joanne Heidkamp, program director for the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, said that Vermonters, particularly in today's economy, have an increased sense of urgency when providing for their families.

"Participants are going dollar for dollar, going for the most food the money can buy," Heidkamp said.

In addition, the program increases the variety of deductions that people can claim when applying for assistance. Previously, regardless of how much a person paid for childcare, elderly assistance or similar services, one could only claim $200 as costs.

"Your gross income level determines whether or not you can apply, but your net income after deductions determines the amount of benefits you get," Heidkamp said.

Changes of this degree require financial backing, money that is not necessarily easy to come by under current economic circumstances. The program found its champion in Congress, which approved an increase in funds to food stamp programs across the nation as part of the economic stimulus package. Heidkamp said their willingness to back food stamps makes sense.

"Money cannot go into a savings account;" said Heidkamp. "It must be put directly into the local economy," she said. Moody's Economy, a leading independent provider of economic analysis, has called the food stamp program the most effective method of economic stimulus.

But Heidkamp said the plan encourages economic growth in more indirect ways as well. "Changes in the economy are making it difficult for people to nourish their families," she said. "People are often sacrificing their own nourishment to feed their children. We need a workforce that's ready to work. We need to make sure the next generation is nourished while they're gaining the skills to enter the workforce."

Heidkamp said lawmakers also took social issues into account when they undertook the project. Some elderly people, for example, have been forced to choose between heat and food this winter, thereby jeopardizing their own health. These concerns convinced administrators to act now.

Since the induction of the 3SquaresVT program, hits on the program's official website, vtfoodhelp.org, have doubled to exceeding 10,000 per month. Applications to the program, said Heidkamp, have also risen substantially since the new program went into effect.

This is due in part to an enthusiastic publicity campaign launched by the state of Vermont. There are five Community Action Agencies and five Agencies on Aging around the state working with their members to pass along necessary information about the new program. Physicians' offices, churches, elementary schools and multiple public institutions have also joined the effort to spread the information.

Heidkamp noted that it is important that not just one group of Vermonters be targeted, but that the information be available to everyone.

"Households that previously did not need help are finding need of the program," she said.

Vermont is the 13th state to make income and asset changes to food stamp programs.