While the strong economy can account for some declines in the program, participation in the Food Stamp Program has declined five times more than the number of people living in poverty. Barriers to the program have made it more difficult for people in working families to receive food stamps. Outdated caps for shelter costs don't reflect the realities of housing markets and utility bills. Finally, the vast majority of legal immigrants in this country are ineligible for food stamps, regardless of income or work status, following changes to the welfare law in 1996. The would also assist emergency food providers.
Work Pay More and more, a job offers no guarantee against hunger.
Many people are forced to work two or three jobs just to put food on the table. For the last two decades, the U.S. labor market has shifted from higher paying manufacturing jobs to low-paying service and retail jobs. For the last two decades, the U.S. labor market has shifted from higher paying manufacturing jobs to low paying service and retail jobs. Next year, Congress is expected to consider bills to increase the federal minimum wage. The federal Food Stamp Program is the nation's primary defense against hunger, yet the number of people using food stamps has dropped dramatically by nearly one-third since 1994, much more than the strong economy would warrant.