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[Title] Struggling for Sustenance: Barriers to SNAP/Food Stamps in Santa Clara… [Author] Etan Newman [Year] 2010 [Publication Type] Field Reports [Community Focus] Advocates (including legal advocates), Policymakers, Service Providers, SNAP/Food Stamp Recipients [Location] California, Domestic, San Jose [Description] Struggling for Sustenance: Barriers to SNAP/Food Stamps in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties details the hardships eligible households face in trying to access food stamps. Based… Read more [Affiliation] Emerson Fellow [Body] 
Struggling for Sustenance Food Stamp ProgramSNAP Access Barriers Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties Etan Newman Emerson National Hunger Fellow Second Harvest Bank February TABLE CONTENTS Executive Summary Acknowledgments Introduction Methodology Interviews with social service professionals volunteers Surveys food recipients Follow interviews Collecting analyzing the data Survey Results Population surveyed Difficulties past applicants those who have never applied Program across both counties Local barriers County Recommendations Addressing Federal Government USDA State Governments Human Services AgencySocial Agency Social SHFB Partners Suggestions Further Research Conclusion Appendix Questions Partner Agencies Geographic Issue Briefs EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The FSP known nationally Supplemental Nutrition Assistance SNAP crucial component Californias safety net helping more than million Californians nearly residents put nutritious table has provided particularly vital support during recent recession rising unemployment led increase participants statewide between September Yet many eligible households still not participate program most suggests that California ranks second last among all states participation rate commissioned Congressional Center conduct sixmonth research project prevent families two from accessing This report presents findings study Drawing partner agencies well surveys clients lowincome community members receive identifies local access provides recommendations inform SHFBs outreach advocacy partnerships collected lack information about commonlycited barrier Other significant include Verification documents required prove income deductions citizenship Fears immigrants will impact their current future immigration status Low literacy potential Quarterly reporting requirements Stigma welfare Complex changing eligibility rules Understaffed county offices little time assist individual navigate application process Some are limited specific geographic regions These Transportation office Stigmatization clerks certain grocery stores Lack EBT vendors Pescadero homeless individuals paperwork related case Budget Project Within Reach Strategies Increasing Participation December httpwwwcbporg also steps can taken decisionmakers federal state partners Governmental Reducing documentation verifications Eliminating fingerimaging requirement Ensuring full staffing workers Optingin waiver facetoface interview Trainings concerns Making materials available languages other English Spanish communitybased help training organizations assistance developing nonprint radio Doctors schools places worship WIC publicizing andor prescreening Immigration law experts advocates participating events reduce immigrationrelated myths encouraging accept concludes suggesting further necessary quantify each identified indepth effectiveness various methods would focus refine its efforts ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS deeply indebted contributed production this insight questions Cindy McCown Senior Director Programs was driving force behind supplied her wealth knowledge inspiring passion increasing Anna Olsen Associate allowed aspects Banks work facilitated contacts Mayra Tapia Outreach Coordinator served translator meticulous editor constant source born experience Team shared anecdotes field tag along observe action huge thanks Luz Ayala willingness brave wind rain facilitate survey dedicated multilingual joined effort Thanks Jonathan Doherty layout final issue briefs thankful staff following took out hectic schedules share propose ideas improvement Many observations contained though does reflect views any one organization All errors misrepresentations mine alone COME Lutheran Cabrillo Unified School District Coastside Farmers Markets Hope Collective Roots Daly City Community Partnership Collaborative Ecumenical Concilio Emergency Housing Consortium Fair Oaks First Presbyterian Church Jose Gilroy Gloria Dei Lords Pantry InnVision Institute Development Interfaith Council Economics Justice Legal Aid Lincoln Living Loving Education Loaves Fishes Macedonia God MidPeninsula Mountain View Our Lady Guadalupe Pacifica Resource People Who CareCrossroads Christian Pie Ranch Pillar Ridge Puente Costa Sur Rahima Foundation Redwood Salvation Army Sacred Heart Presbytery Labor AFLCIO Maria Urban Ministry Santee Neighborhood Action Shelter Network Society Vincent Paul South Josephs Family Louise Hospital Health Benefits Sunnyvale West Valley Women Infants Children WICSan appreciative allowing tour facilities learn gather intake supervisors grateful opportunity meet strong proud people throughout sharing personal stories struggle Finally note Aileen Carr received period fellowship With guidance been able minute details area while keeping eyes larger story hunger poverty United States INTRODUCTION paid part bill using benefits Known federallyfunded now nationwide equivalent every eight Americans four American children primarily nutrition aiming combat providing modest buying healthy Each month use Electronic Transfer card similar debit purchase farmers markets climb numbers insecure country gained media attention lifesaving millions Between skyrocketing number increased For become pillar only protection against chronic seen steep rise bringing total receiving through around same meaning almost risen recently effect remains unmeasured Still clear yet According Service FNS Department Agriculture government agency which administers FSPSNAP worse Policy Advocates CFPA estimates incomeeligible Stamps participated found combined may but did Because funded spent loss economic activity due low rates exceeds year Recognizing importance way end our began apply years Jason DeParle Robert Gebeloff Use Soars Fades New York Times November httpwwwnytimescom Reaching Those Need Rates httpfnsusdagov Lost Dollars Empty Plates httpwwwcfpanet team directly assisted thousands applying informed countless national antihunger pushing changes overcome continue discourage trusted leader fight publicize collective faced working simultaneously muchneeded depth account dozens providers completed leverages unique position close ties aims collect provide ontheground evidence education detailing countylevel improve giving voice stakeholders including hopes allow perspective influence wider debate thereby better serve need METHODOLOGY qualitative nature were combination SeptemberDecember agencybased aimed background demographic makeup communities within extent services currently involved roughly relied set included interviewees own assessment suggestions how could see list random rather generated collaboration relations nine first exclusively connected snowball method suggested contact then used find some whom had connection Most occurred oneonone format few conducted regularlyscheduled meeting responses Meetings small collection themselves firsthand Why What difficult parts Both identify assessing reasons begin understanding dynamics Which completing why withdraw onetime reapplying should they initially denied terminated locations distribution direct distributions such Produce Mobile sites pantries chosen because presence tend long lines where waiting standing answer One additional site center Language classes women entirely voluntary actual perceived reward given completion facilitators copy questionnaires sometime Facilitators asked participant either openended multiple choice answers freedom conceiving chose general recorded assume particular level However requested write Written spoke Vietnamese Russian Mandarin translate them There attempt three common location follow whose seemed representative sample especially detailed done order obtain accounts into confusion inherent difficulties negotiating complex Responses providervolunteer analyzed alongside others quotations form geographicbased results coded based themes these codescheme below Previous Applicants How you OfficeCountyMedical Worker Doctor Medical Professional ProviderCommunityBased Org TVRadio FriendFamily Member Did get Yes Was easy Easy Difficult paperworkmany questionstoo transportationdistance wait trouble getting confusing Paperworkdocumentation Makingkeeping appointment Unreturned phone calls didnt know trustHeard bad rumors Confusedupset counted benefit Didnt speak language Nothing Are stamps removedsuspended dont themIm over ineligible asset test scared might SSI explanation decision Would recommend friend Participants think youre restrictions too high family job havent heard pay back take your kids military Too requirementsintrusive themleaving enough good They helpful misuse Receiving impacts Youyour Your army anything change make More Improving accesseasier processless Include undocumented Raise Remove fingerprinting situation life Ill SURVEY RESULTS Though population even broad draw conclusions board Below broken down region Where Taken Region Percentage Total Number North SMC Central SCC East MilpitasAlviso TOTAL addition evenly split Have ever before Past applicant Never discussion often focuses knowing experienced important main Hardships deter prompting withdrawals noshows initial later hardships again Indeed said longer represent substantial nonparticipating FSPeligible Additionally spreads word mouth tell neighbors friends worth supported Providing verification onerous Among majority recounted Likewise respondents nothing noted difficulty problem obtaining presenting When she couldnt stubs rental receipts respondent reported being reprimanded worker least suspected lying sent told hadnt calculations levels monitor Knowing amount check accuracy ensure less entitled mistake excess But determining impossible sure calculated correctly cited upset miscalculated feel knew correct ask send cut off Palo Alto mother five together months disability much Carlos resident Rules sponsorship legal misleading Deeming sponsors sponsor Poverty Guidelines count fact without signature worried failure optout nonsponsored household repercussions web option seem his despite Work lead Four mentioned Employment Training FSET adults discouraged finishing makes mandatory nonworking attend posed transportation problems recipient made another trust search employment decided hardship areas overall large example got fill returned withdrew Bruno qualified forget husband thought want stay home double times called saying actually very angry miscalculating possibility subset man having sleep outside SSA mail days row approved emergency easier likely describe described just somewhat needed Even seems suggest remained unhappy III what place avoiding Although largest group whether portion believed words suspect refrain hearing exist probably day buy groceries Despite half reason responded greatest theyd Dont timelengthy Only newly Pride myth negatively attempts citizen public charge persists negative hurt chances becoming citizens rumor false grow association cash aid CalWorks General Recipients considered when attempting adjust Unfortunately mistaken perception effects stoke fear immigrant Ive affect deterred intrusiveness unsure quicker intrusive wasnt always meant numerous theyve bring Others referring adult must fingerprinted filling Three felt normally spoken Chinese theyre Help Trustworthy dispel Information Sample Card CashOut create misconceptions qualify pressed revealed declared cant live someone receives Another third retired cases cashout disqualification rule misinterpreted disqualify swath simply expressed pregnant mothers Eight forcefully asserted owned person lives resource Instead sum intended cover disqualifies thats BARRIERS gathered point twocounty Knowledge potentially encourage confused unaware new elimination member Citizen mixedimmigration reach Literacy generally flyers posters written While works insurmountable house wealthiest living wealthy asking financial embarrassing previouslystable seek introduction cards conspicuous pride stood line pantry special supermarket everyone adds shame name attempted rebrand continues explain handout Documents complicated identity utilities child care bills explained weeks pull became gave expected swamped replaced affidavit cannot unnecessarily Reporting leads falling reapply fluctuates successful followed jobless termination quarterly overwhelming understand finding sending creates Unclear Denial Approval Letters denial letters mixedstatus letter submitted believe entire sometimes deemed parents probable call return closed denies SSIrecipients money inadequate expenses fixed grossincome guidelines possibly maximum rely Brown Bag represented elsewhere Iranian Filipino MiddleEastern native request translators hesitant frustration trying non speaking forms Sponsorship Requirements regulating sponsored misunderstood Requirement vocational workfare poses deterrent once ends Funding saw Combined budget cuts incredible strain applications statutory limit demand great spend desired former heightened fewer greater turnover decisions quality customer Homeless Significant populations face remain returning submit reports developed Restaurant elderly disabled hot restaurants meals Drug Felon Ineligibility Individuals convicted drug felony sale illegal drugs rest charges carries punishment felons punishes hisher felon calculation ineligibility disproportionate Isolated houses pockets hidden isolated Cupertino infrequent nearby professional easily accessible south according dispersed lower concentrated hiring freeze vacancy translates deficit backlog understaffing waits overburdened desirable store customers Benefit EBTusers convinced otherwise Isolation Coastsides isolation HSA outposted Half Moon Bay there device complete until postpone recertification extended automatic waivers Buses indirect oneway bus trip goes takes hours rotating periodically gaining raising awareness Residents absence consistent Main Street travel miles Cruz RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING gain Reduce unnecessary eliminating medical costs etc give private institute standard deduction amounts trained verify twoway certification Free Reduced Lunch USDAs certifies Level already certified partly Creative school districts highlight model programs Eliminate FingerImaging requires undergo fraud require uses reducing Fingerimaging increases stigma distrust Furthermore diverts Create plan move simplified CDSS longterm demanded biannually Such turn fluctuating incomes biannual Increase funding streamline Boards Supervisors HSASocial processed Optin Letter optin document workingpoor Move online workload scan email Francisco clearer approval noting persons emphasizing Current Clarifying believing whole Extend open HSASSA nights weekends Make convenient pickupdrop Provide Public Charge Eligibility advice concerned resources Conduct sensitivity like daytoday simulation purpose trainings CBOs refer instead penalizing wish look Pilot fulltime placed Core screen caseworkers collaborate enter fairlycompensated Expand capabilities Cantonese Tagalog Farsi Arabic develop improving segments marginalized Continue expanding restaurant cook expanded signs delineate Outpost Morgan Hill Martin Outposted Providers distribute promotional hold conjunction Religious clergy health Gaining basic learning quick tools FAST tool preparing frontline pilot Trainer regulations tasked central train trainer cultivate organize signup event prescreened answered spot break nonprofit groups beforehand individually Then adjoining room far comfortable videos print utilize mass spread acceptance menus Income FPL Schools target toward putting free district text Migrant prescreen centers supplement foods extra intakes let churches regular announcements Faith Clergy leaders administrators doctors educate patients nutritional value advisors promote Their associated security quickly Centers located hospitals insurance step immigrationlaw bust informational sessions fellow lawyers dispense accurate equal treatment users pressure storeowners Stores reputation poor pressured policies held accountable sign Meal select cooked advantage lowbudget Subway Quiznos SUGGESTIONS FURTHER RESEARCH referenced potentiallyeligible road blocks objective anecdotal presented here assess widespread analysis factors age race ethnicity gender contribute Statistical policy success strategies build term guide marshalling involvement CONCLUSION generator Thousands hungry overwhelmingly culturally appropriate active dollars economy creating jobs stimulating growth turning result accessed Behind lie struggling survive hundreds stimulus lost Understanding fearful documenting ways inaccessible next Decision makers enact streamlining nonparticipants Communitybased coordinate concerted towards lowliteracy raise APPENDIX Name _________________________________ Professionals Title ___________________________________________________ agencys mission hear Location availability EBTfriendly supermarkets publicity bank visited impression ideal world measures stamp remove interested Any suggestionsthoughtsideas Can Contact info please THIS BACK Explain willing talk totally confidential WILL NOT YES Applicant yes From changed Applied Before recibe estampillas comida ahora solicitado pasado favor esta encuesta nunca las por reverso este formulario Como entero Recibio ayuda del Banco Comida para llenar solicitud Fue facil dificil proceso Porque Tuvo problemas transportacion dia entrevista Que parte obtener encontro confuso Esta recibiendo porque recomendaria programa amigo usted dispuesto hablar mas con miembro Nosotros queremos saber gente solicita informacion sera confidencial compartida gobierno Sus respuestas nos ayudaran mejorar gustaria nosotros sobre experiencia escriba nombre numero telefono alguien pondra contacto Encuesta Estampillas Solicitante Pasado aplicado ahorita Recibe familia donde Usted cree que califica escuchado bueno malo solicitar recibir quien oido esto debe cambiar quiera alquien banco Para personas han combats Countys leading spurred since brief zeroin programmatic Calif SOUTH SANTA CLARA COUNTY city Garlic Capital World includes smaller unincorporated migrant farmworkers join permanent factoryworking growing season suburbanites choose commute census guideline Bas Source Healthy GIS Map httpwwwcnngisorg Based httpcnngisorg serves Confusion irregular missed appointments depends farm factoryworkers insidious connect criminalization shelter armory opens winter miss cooking Reports Obtaining claims Filling near Oaxacan different dialect making Office reduced come finally blessing gotten explaining twopronged theyll picked ICE jeopardize legalization Hillbased NovemberDecember Data per expansion opportunities CommunityBased Organizations Superintendents classroom space nervous coming church pastor hesitation commitment looks forward Monterra Village Apartments effective Cal CENTRAL dominated populous Silicon neighborhoods highest concentration tract category carry rebuild devastating suffer rent notes Distribution Sites Its culture narrative faithbased brochures Latino That parking mobile unit percentage Refer charts outline restrictive Documentation Required gross lunch Prove
Congressional Hunger Center » Subject Areas » Domestic Federal Nutrition Programs
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