Public aid need grows in Oklahoma, census finds
Use of food stamps rose to almost 492,000 Oklahomans in June, up nearly 18.6% from last year
BY VALLERY BROWN AND PAUL MONIES
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Published: September 29, 2009
Nearly one in four Oklahoma families with children younger than 18 were on some type of public assistance in 2008, according to newly released census estimates.
Public assistance includes food stamps and supplemental Social Security income.
Food stamp use is at an all-time high in the state. The use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program increased to almost 492,000 people in June 2009. The state
Department of Human Services said that is up nearly 18.6 percent compared with the same time last year.
"Food stamps are one of the leading indicators of economic distress,” said
David Blatt, director of policy for the antipoverty Oklahoma Policy Institute.
About 11 percent of the state’s households received some type of food stamp assistance last year, up from 10 percent in 2007 and 2.4 percent higher than the national average in 2008. The estimates come from the Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey, which surveyed geographic areas with a population of more than 65,000.
"As their income dwindles and other expenses rise, it’s the food budget that shows need,” Blatt said.
The percentage of Oklahoma households with children younger than 18 that received public assistance was almost 24 percent in 2008, according to survey estimates. The national rate is 19.4 percent.
Anne Roberts, executive director of the
Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, said one thing the numbers can’t tell is that even though many families receive this assistance, they often live in communities with few choices for buying healthy and wholesome foods.
"The bottom line for small children is that their brains and bodies are growing. That’s why it’s so important we have these programs,” she said.
Roberts said public assistance also alleviates stress on young children and their families.
This can help children get out of the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential, she said.
Among cities, one in four
Oklahoma City and
Tulsa households with children were on some type of public assistance.
In
Lawton, the rate was estimated at 22.9 percent.
That was followed by
Norman at 19.2 percent and
Broken Arrow at 11.3 percent.
The
Census Bureau did not release estimates for
Edmond in that category.
"This is stressful on children and makes it harder for them to be at school, attentive and ready for success,” Blatt said. "So the problems of limited income have far reaching consequences throughout our society.”
Poverty levels
The state’s poverty rate was unchanged since last year at about 15.9 percent, or 579,000 Oklahomans, but still remained higher than the national poverty rate of 13.2 percent last year.
Poverty is defined as an income of $21,200 or less for a family of four.
"I think the concern is that even at the end of a period of strong economic growth, one in six Oklahomans were living below the poverty level,” Blatt said.
He said this shows some Oklahoma families were struggling to meet their basic needs before the recession.
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This should not come as a surprise, our whole society has shifted to scamming the public as a way of life, demanding that the government pass laws to assist our shiftless a**es.
As little as 50 years ago, this would have all been unthinkable but today we demand "the government" do for us what we are too lazy or incompetent to do for ourselves and punish those who stand in the way of our greed. We've become a nation of professional victims. Bad news: it's going to get worse.
Our legislature are easily some of the most over paid folks I can imagine!
Very sorry to see Henry Bellmon died- he was one of what I would consider the "great generation" as a citizen and politician.
Matt1 what you saying does not surprise or shock me- one of the cocepts I was exposed to in the military was "frame of reference". We all have our own frame of reference that is the accumilation of our experence in life. In the military we were expected to be able to seek our and understand the "FOR" to then be able to act within that FOR for sucess of the misson. Folks inside and outside the military misuse the context today as the "hearts and minds" approach.
There is clearly a very different frame of reference at work for many of these folks lives- many of the experences, values, and ethics we all in general take for granted as a mutual commmon reference point are clearly not present in some of these homes.
I don't see many of us who have the luxury of sitting and being able to espouse here as having very accurate grasp of the FOR for these folks- as you point out- we can read, and our parents (mostly I expect) could read and conveyed a value on it. Folks are wanting to point to the root causes for the issue which has some merit I suppose, but the crux is the numbers exsist and are getting "worse" by the standards they are measured by in this article.
I don't know the pointing the fingers at anyone else and suggesting they lack what we all might deem as the "moral character" needed to suceed is really a answer to the issues these number represent.
I don't know the answers- but it is way too easy to push it off ethical beliefs- I have not met many folks in my life who were poor, on the edge where a medical issue or a late utility payment would dystroy their worlds who were happy with the situation.
Matt1- I whole heartidly agree with you, these childern are at tremendous risk- I sometimes joke with my daughter that she has to be educated and a productive member of society so I will be able to get something from Social Security in the future! These kids are the future of our world, and our society- It may be true that the parents are a "write off" already in terms of society, but I don't see any of us as being able to afford to write off these kids also...
Enough rant, please be able to enjoy that afternoon for me, what kind of fruit are you looking to have for your retirement?
:)
I was lucky enough to attend a private school through my early elementary school years. When I did attend public school - I noticed a switch amongst the attitudes of students. I was more advanced than most of the students. I don't, however, believe that this had to do with their home enviroment. I think it was mostly a curriculum based problem. Private school presented a greater challenge at an earlier age. By the way, in the private school I attended - they accepted children based on grants as well as private funding. The grant based students tended to work harder than the normal privately funded students.
Plus the difficulties children face now are much greater than previously (measuring in years). Any long time elementary teacher can tell you this. Broken familes and such, create emotional havoc on the kids more than any time peviously. These are serious issues for the kids, affect them in school greatly. A disproportionate number have a parent that don't really care to be around the child compared to one upon a time. And some, but a small minority, do not really seem concerned about issues such as teeth, eyeglasses and such that affect a child's learning.
While you were a teacher, was there a code of ethics and rules you had to adhere to at all times?
While I was in the Military, then with the DOJ I had to sign and adhere to such codes of conduct- just curious about the school systems...
You have stereotyped me today. This is why making assumptions and making up "facts" is dangerous in a civil debate. If you cannot support your argument then you should not be posting. It is a waste of time to sift through nonsense.
Chris- some of the points you make are salient, revelvent and good, and as a teacher with daily active interface with youth you have some good insights- right up the point your emotions got the better of you. Sorry to see that.
You don't know me. You don't know my children.
Don't get personal.
I know, people who drive Mercedes have their kids on free lunches. If you can't make it up, than just lie about it. Typical Limbeck party liars.
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And I will agree, they do get more money through begging than working. Which is precisely why I never give money to homeless people.
I real attitude switch towards these the oppressed and hurting would do wonders...
The United States is an armed society. Things can change really fast if the leaders keep ignoring the needs of the masses. I have never known anyone in my life who wanted to be on public assistance. A good paying job can not be beat.
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As far as work incentives are concerned - what exactly do you mean by that?
Sure, I agree that food stamp benefits should be capped. But guess what? Grocers LOVE food stamps. Food stamps mean that big businesses (grocers, suppliers, wholesalers etc.) make that extra dollar. Do you really think they DON'T have lobbyists out there?
Also, socialists would not be for separation of social classes. Socialists believe that everyone should be monetarily equal.
It's like the Bush tax cuts. Bush said we're going to cut taxes and that will create jobs. Really. We cut taxes and have the biggest recession since the Great Depression. Where did all that money go? What happened? I though when we liberated Iraq at a cost of 600 billion dollars, it was going to pay us back in oil sales. What happened? The average worker out here in Okieland doesn't make the rules, he just lives by them. He can train for a job and go to work, but when the jobs disappear, the government has to be there for it's citizens. The government is only there for corporate America.
It is cheaper for the government to just feed people and write them a check than it is to teach them how to find work and sustain a good life style.
The next time some politician comes along and says they are going to outlaw your right to bargain for something, look out.
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Welfare / food stamps are intended to be a stop-gap measure but, in most cases, it turns into a way of life. Why should I get off my azz and work for more money when I can collect enough to eat by doing nothing? This scenario will turn an otherwise decent man into a sponge on society. Public assistance MUST be short term, not allowed to permeate generation to generation. Not to mention that once these people breed enough on free food, they can become politically viable. Once they influence Socialist thinking (libs) people to also vote their way, they can elect a Socialist president. The nation is really in the shitter at this point as incentive to work erodes and the "haves" are eventually outnumbered by the "have-nots".
I was doing just fine before they raised minimum wage. Now everything costs more. I was doing so well before that I could finally afford to put more money into savings. After the wage hike was complete - my groceries were costing $50 more and my utilities went up.
Now, I am a single parent. I have two kids. I take care of my sick Mother. We do receive child support but it pales in comparison to the cost of living. Once upon a time I had to use child care assistance. I'm what DHS calls a success story. In fact, they wanted to use me as an "example." I (obviously) turned it down. But, you can't tell me that EVERYONE lives off the system.
Jackie: I completely agree. I get so angry watching people buy ICEEs and burritos at 7-11 with their food stamp card. I think that food stamps should only buy healthy, "from scratch" food.
His money could have went so much farther at the Jesus House.
Instead it will be paying for Golf Shoes Golden Toilets and Air conditioned dog houses.
Nice choice Mr. Green.
Just more okieland ineptitude at it's finest......
Strange, other states that are supposedly belted by this recession aren't turning in high percentages of food stamp/welfare/medicaid dependency like okieland is...why is that??
Isn't it also VERY strange that okieland touts it's "low unemployment", but okies have so much dependency on government handouts?
When are you okies going to admit this is less than a "living paycheck to paycheck" state??