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Suncoast Pasco News

Shorted Again

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FROM A READER

Published: January 24, 2009

Editor:

What gives? Yet again in my life the government has given and then taken away. I speak for all Social Security recipients and other seniors and the disabled. Those who received food stamps are being swindled.

Every October food stamp recipients get a cost-of-living increase. This is a blessing in deed – but only for three months. In January, when an adjustment in Social Security is made, those extra food stamps are practically reduced back to the original amount.

Sounds fair, doesn't it? Not really. Food stamp paperwork lists the monthly gross income of each individual household. One has to wonder why this meaningless figure is there. Our monthly income has always fallen well below the listed "allowed" amount, yet the Social Security raise is always partially taken. Why is this, if it's well below its own listed monthly gross?

This year we got a double whammy: Our rent increased by $25 but our food stamps will remain reduced regardless. According to their office that's just the way it is.

So thank you, Uncle Sam. My husband received only a $9 Social Security increase this year after all is said and done.

Katherine E. Wilhelm
Port Richey

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