Basic Needs Part I: Food Assistance

I understand people need assistance during certain seasons of life, and I support the wealthiest nation in the world ensuring adequate provision of its citizens most basic needs. However, I am disappointed, discouraged, and angered by the waste, fraud, and abuse of our country’s current public assistance programs. It is my main objective (MO) to design public assistance systems which:

1. Preserve the provision of basic needs, in this case our need for sustenance (food and water). 
2. Reduce the amount of public funding directed towards assistance programs.
3. Allow others to shoulder a greater amount of the resource (time, talent, treasures) burden.

As a disclaimer, I do not consider myself any better or worse than those who choose to accept public assistance, or than those who may abuse it. There are circumstances and price points where if the government offered me money, I would take it.


Outlined below are a handful of general principles I see as being beneficial in achieving my MO:

1) Food assistance will be an option available to every citizen.

It is a citizen’s choice to accept public assistance, no force will be involved. Also, a person’s income, nor any other criteria, will exclude a citizen from receiving food assistance.

2) Individuals will choose how much assistance ($) they need on a monthly basis.

A maximum monthly limit will be established based on family size.

3) Individuals will exchange freedoms for monetary assistance.

I am no dietitian,  however, as a general principle there will be severe restrictions on food items eligible for purchase. As Dave Ramsey recommends: live on rice and beans. Thus no New York Strip steaks, lobster, caviar, sugared beverages, etc.

 

4) Individuals will pay back into the system the amount they received plus a surcharge.

Although controversial, the concept of paying back into the system what an individual received is perhaps my favorite. I believe it places an emphasis on personal responsibility and establishes a disincentive to accept public assistance (as one will have to pay back in what they took out plus a surcharge).

I hope an example may aid in clarifying the above concept – all numbers subject to change :). Bob, over the course of the last 3 months, has chosen to accept $500 in food assistance secondary to company layoffs. Bob has now accepted new employment and is making $200 per month over the poverty line (to be calculated later). A surcharge of 10% ($50 – subject to change) will be added to Bob’s total assistance received ($500) to cover administrative costs and provide a disincentive for those who don’t need assistance to utilize the system. Thus Bob will be required to pay back a total of $550 ($500 + $50) into the food assistance system.

Bob will be allowed a 6 month grace period where he may choose to pay back any amount (including none) of the funds he owes ($550). After 6 months, the federal government will garnish 15% (subject to change) of Bob’s wages above the poverty line until the full $550 is paid. Assuming Bob chooses not to pay back any amount into the system in the 6 month grace period, the federal government would garnish $30 ($200 x 15%) of Bob's wages each month until it had received $550 ($550 / $30 = 19 months + 6 month grace period = 25 month total repayment period). 

5) A lifetime maximum benefit will be established.

After an individual reaches their maximum lifetime benefit, they will no longer be eligible to receive further benefits. At this point a secondary safety net option will still be available. As with the monthly limit, the lifetime limit will be adjusted based on household size.

Potential concerns:

1. Individuals may receive assistance, but never be above the poverty line, and thus never pay back into the system.
1. This is what we do now. No one is currently required to pay back what they have received. Therefore, my proposed system is no worse than our current system.
2. Children
1. Rightly so, there are many who are concerned about the well-being of our country’s children. An argument could be made with lifetime maximums established and less willingness to accept assistance, children have a higher risk of being neglected. Although not a perfect solution, I see such scenarios as a perfect opportunity for private charities and local governments to design programs specifically addressing children.

Revamping our country's food assistance program is a difficult topic for me to address succinctly and with a high degree of clarity. Unfortunately, I am not sure how to do better articulating my thoughts and would thus appreciate other's input as this is an issue we all need to work together to find a workable solution.

Next Week's Topic: Private Charities Part I: Overview