Welfare Recipients Forced to Sell Food Stamps to Buy Basic Necessities

A new investigation from ColorLines Magazine supported by the Nation Institutes Investigative Fund shows that some poor families are forced to sell their food stamps on the black market for cash in order to survive this prolonged recession. We speak to journalist Seth Wessler, whose investigation focuses on the impact of both the recession and welfare reform in Hartford, Connecticut, a state which has the shortest welfare time limit in the United States. Were also joined by Luz Santana, a veteran community organizer and welfare rights activist who heads the advocacy group Vecinos Unidos. [includes rush transcript]

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[poppabear666]

1st off. there are no jobs!! 2nd food stamps only pay for food, not housing, if anyone is in a hard spot they can get food but not a roof to eat it under, people -have to trade- their food for money it's just a simple fact, they will feed you but as far as a roof over ur head ur outta luck go live ina gutter. this is the problem for many people from all walks of life..

[yellabro07]

wow at the racist comments here. Yall do realize that BLACKS are NOT the #1 receipts of food stamps BUT poor single WHITE women. The immigrants who come many take "off the books" jobs not real legit jobs that aren't even recognized as income. for programs and tax purposes plus you must prove citizenship to apply (unless you get an exmeption say thru waiting for an assylum hearing that a judge agrees to temp). PLus the biggest thing is FS has always been a proven economic stimulus back into biz.

[LW89music]

@yellabro07 well informed comment. good facts

[LW89music]

@poppabear666 there are jobs. you dont have friends. i have been offered 3 jobs in the past few months. im training for all of them. meet important people and befriend them. you will have work

[watagatapitusberrixD]

@2hottric Fuckyou.

didnt ask for your opinion.

[2hottric]

@watagatapitusberrixD they are more white people on walfare then blacks ok dumb ass jus know this

[RImusclebear]

With the new budget food stamp allotments will be cut by 75%. It is about time!! Why should hard working taxpayers have to support women who can't keep their legs closed? If these women do not take care of their children properly the kids should be taken away from them! Women who continue to have children they can't support are the lowest form of life on the planet.

[FRSFreeStatePlus]

There's Welfare Fraud all across the Federal Government that should be addressed. Welfare Fraud makes it difficult for people who actually need the assistance.

[GLOBALWARNING101]

99% of blacks are retarded lazy ignorant lowlife scumbags fake gangsters rappers boooooooooo

[tarossi400]

I'll bet there are a whole lot more drugs being purchased with sold foodstamps than shoes and rent.

[BennyIceEyes]

@poppabear666 Well, its a funny thing that 2700 illegal immigrants cross the border each DAY coming into this country to work. Obviously they find jobs. So it looks like jobless crybabies like yourself are the real problem. I spent 8 years, living all over and fighting for this country, so I think I've got a better understanding of the market than you will ever. There isn't a lack of jobs, just a lack of easy ones. Join the Marines, they are still hiring.