Thursday December 15, 2005

Some may face choice: Whether to heat or eat

peakoil.com -> usatoday.com :

The Bush administration has denied requests from five states to increase food stamps for low-income families facing higher heating bills this winter. Maine, New York, Kansas, Virginia and South Carolina sought to raise monthly food stamp allotments by projecting what families will pay to heat their homes. The Energy Department has forecast 25% average increases in heating bills this winter. Research shows that when utility bills rise, some poor families reduce food purchases.

The Agriculture Department, which runs the food stamp program, said the best solution to rising utility bills is an increase not in food stamps, but in the low-income heating assistance program. The administration supports a $1 billion increase, pending in Congress. Advocates for the poor say as much as $4 billion is needed.

The federal food stamp program helps 25.7 million Americans pay for food by giving them an average of $92.70 in purchasing power each month. To be eligible, family income generally must be below 130% of the federal poverty level, or about $25,100 for a family of four.

- Just an observation : the American "federal poverty level" mentioned is US$25,100 per year which translates to about S$3500 per month in local terms. Hmm, indeed.

(2005-12-15 12:57:31 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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