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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

SNAP and Emergency Unemployment Benefits

  • Gridlock in Congress could leave millions hurting over the holidays, By Lisa Mascaro, December 2, 2013, Los Angeles Times: “Congress’ unfinished business threatens to leave millions of Americans — including the unemployed, Pentagon contractors and even supermarket shoppers — in the lurch this holiday season. With partisan dysfunction unlikely to subside in coming weeks, lawmakers appear ready to punt several issues into the new year. But many Americans could start feeling the effects of inaction as early as this month…”
  • Congressional GOP may be willing to let emergency unemployment benefits lapse, By Lori Montgomery, December 3, 2013, Washington Post: “With the jobless rate hovering just over 7 percent, congressional Republicans said Tuesday that they are ready to let emergency unemployment benefits lapse on Dec. 31, immediately cutting off checks to more than a million recipients…”
  • Food stamp cuts, holidays stress food banks, By Jake Grovum, November 26, 2013, Stateline: “Food banks across the country are bracing for what has become an annual occurrence during this season: a spike in demand as millions of Americans struggle to put holiday meals on their tables. For those who help the hungry, 2013 is looking a lot like the years since the recession began—with the added challenge of a $5 billion cut in food stamp benefits, which took effect Nov. 1…”