http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/index.cfm?id=514719cc-e950-4549-b539-8a8d2388b4b4 The Vermont congressional delegation today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will further postpone a pending reduction in food stamp benefits for 16,000 Vermonters. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) also welcomed the USDA's assurance that, once the extended waiver expires on April 1, no family will see a benefit reduction of more than $20 per month.
Sanders and Leahy authored a letter signed by 13 other senators asking White House budget director Jacob Lew to reconsider the administration's plan to cut to nutrition assistance benefits under Vermont's "3SquaresVT" program. Welch authored a similar letter from members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The senators urged Lew to "pursue a course that will sustain the existing level of benefits to help these families make it through this difficult winter season." The senators further noted that any cut to nutrition assistance would come on top of possible additional cuts to fuel assistance received by Vermont families. Welch echoed those sentiments, writing that cuts could "reduce significantly the nutrition assistance benefits that many of our constituents rely on to feed their families during difficult economic times."
This September, the USDA announced that the State of Vermont would be required to implement a cut of as much 25 percent to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits received by 16,000 Vermont families starting on January 1. The department's decision was based on declining home utility costs which factor into the food stamp benefits formula. Around the country, at least 2 million people would also have seen a reduction in their food stamp benefit.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
