Maverick County SNAP recipients to receive cuts in benefits in November
By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a public notice to all Texas, including Maverick County, recipients of SNAP Food benefits, also known as food stamps, that starting in November 2013 their benefit amounts will be decreased. The Maverick County economy is expected to take a large hit due to these decrease in SNAP Food benefits. SNAP Food benefits are distributed in Texas through the use of the Lone Star Card by the Texas Health and Services Commission.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a household of one person will receive $11 less; a household of two persons will receive $20 less; a household of three persons will receive $29 less; and a household of four persons will receive $36 less. Households of five or more persons will receive $36 less plus $10 less per person. Households which receive minimal benefits will receive $1 less of their monthly benefits.
In June 2013, USDA reported Maverick County with over 21,000 persons living below the poverty line, which 83% are serviced by SNAP Food benefits through the Lone Star Card. A total of 17,876 persons in Maverick County receive SNAP Food benefits through the Lone Star Card. When one multiplies the average projected decrease of $11 per person with the 17,876 persons that receive SNAP Food benefits in Maverick County, the total loss of monthly SNAP Food benefits in Maverick County is $196,636. According to economists, for every dollar spent in the local economy there is an economic impact eight fold, that is, $196,636 times eight is a loss of approximately $1,573,088 per month to the Eagle Pass and Maverick County economy.
Local retailers such as grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, meat markets, bakeries, and other businesses who accept the SNAP Food benefits through the Lone Star Card will suffer a significant economic loss due to the new decrease of benefits to take effect on November 1, 2013, as a result of the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives who voted to reduce benefits to Americans.
The South Texas Food Bank recommends to SNAP Food benefit recipients to plan ahead and think about your smaller household food budget commencing in November 2013 as a result of the decrease in benefits. For more information, please call the South Texas Food Bank office in Eagle Pass at (830) 968-5764.
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