Category: Snap benefits
Able-bodied 38-year-old man goes viral for response to Trump food stamp restrictions: ‘That’s some bulls**t!’
A Tennessee man who responded with anger to new restrictions on food stamp benefits went viral on social media as the Trump administration clamps down on fraud.
The new restrictions will apply to able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 65 years who aren’t disabled and refuse to work at least 20 hours per week. They also do not apply to those who have children under the age of 14 years in their home.
‘I’m devastated, actually. … It helped me a lot. It got me $292 a month.’
While the new rules won’t likely appear terribly onerous to the taxpayers who have to work to fund them, some of the beneficiaries are outraged.
“That’s some bullsh**t,” Nelson Scott said to WZTV-TV. “Man, I’m devastated, actually.”
Scott is 38 years old, doesn’t have kids or a job, doesn’t go to school, and is not disabled. But he’s upset that his SNAP food benefits are imperiled.
“It helped me a lot. It got me $292 a month,” Scott said.
The new restrictions are being put into place by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the direction of President Donald Trump.
Scott argued that it was hard for him to find a job because he’s a felon.
“I would get one if y’all give me one. Y’all be felony-friendly and hire us,” he pleaded.
The video report garnered almost 200K views on social media, and many of the commenters were angry at Scott for trying to stay on food stamps while being able-bodied.
“AWWWWW! Poor baby has to go to work like the rest of us!!” one commenter said.
“That man is a great example of able-bodied. He needs to get a JOB,” another said.
“Get your lazy ass out of bed and get a job like the rest of us. I’m sick and tired of supporting these people. I started working when I was 12 years old. I’d work the fields with my Mexican best friend and his family every weekend for about $20 a day back in the mid 70s,” another user replied on the X platform.
RELATED: Woman goes viral after admitting to being on SNAP benefits for 3 decades
There are other exclusions from the SNAP regulations going into place. People who are in a drug or alcohol treatment program can continue to get the benefits, as well as those who are pregnant or receive unemployment benefits.
The work requirement can also be fulfilled by participating in a work training program or doing volunteer work.
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$500 million in SNAP funds is reportedly spent on fast food because of state program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is getting renewed scrutiny after Democrats tried to use the program as a cudgel to beat down Republicans during the government shutdown.
Some Republicans are calling for new restrictions on SNAP to decrease program spending and cut down on waste, fraud, and abuse.
‘I hate to be the one to say McSCUSE ME, but something needs to be done because taxpayers are not lovin’ it.’
According to Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa, $524 million was spent “almost exclusively on fast food, in nine states” over two years. The figure comes from spending through the Restaurant Meals Program option that allows select SNAP beneficiaries to use their funds on participating restaurants, including fast food shops.
“The ‘N’ in SNAP stands for nutrition — not nuggets with a side of fries,” Ernst said in a statement accompanying the press release. “I wish I was McRibbing you, but $250 million per year at the drive-through is no joke and a serious waste of tax dollars. I hate to be the one to say McSCUSE ME, but something needs to be done because taxpayers are not lovin’ it.”
The RMP option varies by state but is intended to help those who have problems preparing their own meals, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and homeless people.
While fast food eats up millions in benefits, according to a previous report on SNAP spending, about 23% of the funds are redeemed on sugary drinks like soda and other snacks.
In 2024, the federal government spent about $100 billion on SNAP, which means that about $23 billion was spent on sugary drinks and snacks. That includes about 10% on soda, which would represent about $10 billion worth of taxpayer funds.
Ernst’s McSCUSE ME Act would revise the RMP standards and impose additional restrictions to lessen spending on fast food restaurants.
RELATED: Woman goes viral after admitting to being on SNAP benefits for 3 decades
The Restaurant Meals Program was implemented in 1977.
Despite the effort to make SNAP more efficient, it is a drop in the bucket of total federal spending. Even if the entire program was ended and all food aid was canceled, it would only represent a 1.5% decrease in the budget.
About 41.7 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits, which is about 1 in every 8 people in the country.
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Trump administration seeks emergency Supreme Court order to pause ruling for full SNAP funding
The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause an order forcing the government to fully fund food aid benefits as the government shutdown drags on.
The administration is seeking the intervention from the court by 9:30 p.m. Friday after an appeals court ruled earlier in the day against the government.
‘From SNAP to paychecks to flights: every delay, every cut, every paycheck missed is part of their plan. Democrats are playing politics while Americans pay the price.’
“The core power of Congress is that of the purse, while the executive is tasked with allocating limited resources across competing priorities,” Solicitor General John Sauer argued in the emergency appeal.
“But here, the court below took the current shutdown as effective license to declare a federal bankruptcy and appoint itself the trustee,” he added, “charged with picking winners and losers among those seeking some part of the limited pool of remaining federal funds.”
Democracy Forward represents a group of cities, churches, nonprofits, and a union who are challenging the emergency appeal and want the lower order to stand.
“The Trump-Vance administration continues to attempt — over and over — to take food out of the hands of families, seniors, workers, and children. And every time they tried, the courts told them what the law already makes clear: They cannot,” Democracy Forward president Skye Perryman said.
“American families should not be used as political props in a shutdown that this White House manufactured,” she added. “Even as the administration attempts — again — through an appeal to the Supreme Court to deprive people of nutrition, we will continue to meet them with effective legal action and secure benefits for the American people.”
About 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits.
“From SNAP to paychecks to flights: every delay, every cut, every paycheck missed is part of their plan. Democrats are playing politics while Americans pay the price,” reads a statement from the White House.
RELATED: Woman goes viral after admitting to being on SNAP benefits for 3 decades
Prior to the SNAP ruling, a separate judge also ruled against the Trump administration in a lawsuit from a federal workers’ union that accused it of acting against their free speech rights.
The shutdown is entering its sixth week.
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California police increase patrols around grocery stores ahead of possible food stamp shutoff
At least one police department in California is responding to the possible lapse in food stamp benefits by stepping up patrols around grocery stores to prevent theft and unrest.
Republicans and Democrats have been blaming each other as the government shutdown enters its fifth week, but the rhetoric had worsened as the threat to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program grows closer. About 5.5 million people in California depend on SNAP food welfare.
‘These increased patrols are not in response to any specific incident, but are a preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community.’
The Barstow Police Dept. posted the statement on their official Facebook page Tuesday.
“We understand that these circumstances may cause additional stress for many families. To help ensure the safety of residents, customers, and business owners, officers will be conducting extra patrols around local grocery stores, convenience stores, and shopping centers,” the statement reads.
“These increased patrols are not in response to any specific incident, but are a preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community that law enforcement is present and ready to help,” they added.
The benefits will run out on Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues.
About 42 million people across the country receive the benefits.
RELATED: Who is to blame for the government shutdown? CNN analyst finds astounding results
California and 20 other states are suing the federal government to ensure the SNAP program is funded.
“While Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage he’s done with his incompetence, he’s denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement. “It’s cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesn’t care about the people of this country, only himself.”
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