VT Restructures Food Stamps to Increase Eligibility and Enrollment

Happy new year. Now that the holidays are over, Moving Up USA is back in full swing with regular postings. It looks like 2009 should be a busy year for those of us who are interested in social mobility. This month we will swear in a new president who has vowed to create jobs, improve education, and take a new look at work-family balance. In fact, president-elect Obama is currently meeting with members of Congress, to promote his economic recovery package. (More on that later this week)

Today, however, let’s focus on some good news from Vermont. As of January 1, the Green Mountain State will no longer give “food stamps” but instead will enroll families in the “3Squares VT” program - think three square meals a day. This is much more than a name change. The new program will:

• Raise the eligibility ceiling from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, making more families and individuals able to qualify for the benefit;
• Remove the asset test so that families are no no longer discouraged from saving for college and retirement; and will
• Automatically enroll those who qualify for 3Squares VT in other programs such as free school and day care meals, and discount phone services.

Often people do not participate in food stamps because of the stigma it creates. According to Renee Richardson, director of the new program, raising the income limit will increase eligibility and reduce this stigma:

“That’s still lower income, but when you take away the onus of being the poorest of the poor, people realize, ‘This is for me!’”

Not only will this help more Vermont families in this economic crisis, but Vermont leaders believe that the new program can stimulate the state’s economy. 3Squares VT — and other state food stamp programs — are paid for completely with federal dollars. The governor’s office estimates that the expansion will bring an extra $12 million per year in food assistance and could infuse up to $22 million into the states economy.

Congressional leaders and President-elect Obama have said they want to include up to $200 billion in the Economic Recovery Package to assist revenue-strapped states. As states decide what to do with this money, they should consider follwoing Vermont’s lead.