Snap Campaign

The Basics: Asset Test

As of May 1, 2012, Pennsylvanians who apply for SNAP (food stamps) must undergo an asset to qualify for benefits. 

Who will be affected by the asset test?

  • Under the new rule, most households with more than $5,500 in assets will no longer qualify for SNAP.
  • For seniors age 60 and over and people with disabilities, the asset limit is $9,000. 

 

What counts as an asset?

NEWSWORKS: 'Food Stamp Challenge' participants hungry on $5 daily menu

Summary: 

"I'm experiencing a tiny, little, very temporary slice of what it's like to live on food stamps," Radio Times host Marty Moss-Coane said.

April 25, 2012


By Elizabeth Fiedler

ASSOCIATED PRESS Lawmakers to stick to $35/week grocery budget to make a point about food stamps

Summary: 

The challenge organized by two regional advocacy groups comes as a planned asset test for food stamps goes into effect May 1 in Pennsylvania.

April 23, 2012


PHILADELPHIA — A congressman, the Philadelphia mayor and at least three state lawmakers are pledging to live on $35 worth of food for the next week.

That’s how much the average food stamp benefit totals in Philadelphia — $5 per day.

The challenge organized by two regional advocacy groups comes as a planned asset test for food stamps goes into effect May 1 in Pennsylvania.

State officials say the new limits will save public money. Critics say the test will disqualify thousands of low-income families from getting the food they need.

FOXPHILLY.COM: Could You Live On $35 A Week For Food?

Summary: 

Mayor Michael Nutter, Congressman Bob Brady and three state legislators are pledging to live on $35 worth of food for the next week.

April 24, 2012


PHILADELPHIA - Mayor Michael Nutter, Congressman Bob Brady and three state legislators are pledging to live on $35 worth of food for the next week. That's just $5 a day.

It's in response to a new plan from Gov. Tom Corbett's administration to disqualify some households from receiving food stamps. That goes into effect on May 1, one week away.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: In food-stamp challenge, participants will try to eat on $35 a week

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Summary: 

As families face cuts to the federal food-stamp program, Philadelphia-area residents are learning what it's like to live on $5 a day, the average benefit for an individual.

April 23, 2012


By Alfred Lubrano, Inquirer Staff Writer

As families face cuts and other changes to the federal food-stamp program, Philadelphia-area residents are learning what it's like to live for a week on $5 a day, the average benefit for an individual.

On Monday, elected officials and community members were to take up the Greater Philadelphia Food Stamp Challenge sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Annette John-Hall: A challenge to get by on $35 a week for food

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Summary: 

Can I even stretch $35 over seven days before my money gets funny and my stomach starts to growl?

April 20, 2012


By Annette John-Hall, Inquirer Columnist

I'm racking my brain trying to come up with creative ways to eat three square meals on $35 a week.

Will $5 a day fill me up? Provide the occasional fruit or vegetable? Can I even stretch $35 over seven days before my money gets funny and my stomach starts to growl?

QUIZ: Food Stamps 101

 
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DAILY NEWS' Stu Bykofsky: Bitter taste in Roxborough: Corbett's food-stamp plan

Summary: 

A columnist examines how the planned asset test for food stamps will affect at least one man in Philadelphia.

April 13, 2012

JOHN MANTON offers me a bowl of potato soup as I take a seat in his tight Roxborough home.

He's made a pot that will last for a week. It must. Manton's learned to stretch his food, a frugality demanded by the $37.25 worth of food stamps he receives weekly. He supplements that small amount with $20 from his meager savings.

Through no fault of his own, Manton's been unemployed for a year, and Gov. Corbett wants to snoop into his bank account before approving the food stamps that keep Manton from starving.

PRESS RELEASE: Elected officials to take Food Stamp Challenge (April 23-29)

Summary: 

Challenge participants, including U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, pledge to live on the average food stamp benefit—just $5 a day—for the entire week.

April 16, 2012

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, State Reps. Tony Payton and Cherelle Parker among participants who will eat on $5 a day

(Philadelphia)—Elected officials, faith leaders and community members will join the Jewish Federation and the Coalition Against Hunger in taking the Greater Philadelphia Food Stamp Challenge from April 23-29. Challenge participants, including U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, pledge to live on the average food stamp benefit—just $5 a day—for the entire week.

LETTER, DELCO TIMES: Asset test won't reduce food-stamp fraud

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Summary: 
Let's get real here: Imposing an asset test for food stamps won't reduce fraud in Pennsylvania.
April 8, 2012
To the Times: RE: "PA, Corbett continue to fight against food stamp fraud," by Stacy Brown (3/27/12) Let's get real here: Imposing an asset test for food stamps won't reduce fraud in Pennsylvania. Reporter Stacy Brown wrote about several people who defrauded the food-stamp system, but he left out one major point: The cases against them had nothing to do with their assets. In fact, the majority of fraud in Pennsylvania is committed by retailers who accept food stamps, not the families who use these benefits to buy groceries.