Blog #4

Clearly stated in The Statesman, the title, "Applying for food stamps isn't that easy audit says", speaks for itself, but how much of that is actually

According to Corrie Maclaggan, the author of this blog, the federal government is well aware of the problems in issuing food stamps and is finding ways to make the process go more smoothly. The food stamp program helps low-income people buy food. Although it is a federal government program, it is run by state or local agencies. Since the government is considering options on improving the application procedure perhaps they could get ideas and feedback from the applicants. Obviously since the number of applicants has increased 45% within two years there is going to be an issue of under-staffing. According to the audit, “Crowded lobbies, long waits, and delays in eligibility determinations clearly resulted in frustrated clients”. The process is not going to be a walk in the park and shouldn’t be either though. And as to the audit’s statement on people not knowing what to bring to the application process, well there are ways to find out. People shouldn’t complain if they are the ones not prepared. The more they aren’t ready for the procedure the harder they make work for the staff. A well known quote by Benjamin Franklin fits this situation perfectly, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” If people already start out not ready have can they expect for the process to go easy? Is it really that difficult to bring in a form of Identification such as a driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate or alien card, a proof of income such as pay stubs or Social Security card, proof of the cost spent for child care and records of your utility costs?

The author presents the issue clearly, stating what the audit claimed after evaluating the process of applying and obtaining food stamps. The credibility of this blog is 100% factual. The author does not give their opinion on the situation. The intended audience was for the general public stating that YES the federal government knows there is an issue on the speedy deliverance on issuing foods stamps and YES they are trying to resolve the problem.