Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Advocacy

Federal Nutrition Program News

Earned Income Tax Credits Help Low Wage Workers
In 2010, federal tax credits will mean more for working families than ever before as they continue to struggle with the pressures of a weak economy. Many have seen their incomes decline steeply because their hours have been cut or they’ve lost their jobs.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit that is available to individuals and families who have low-to-moderate earned income and are raising one or more children under the age of 18. In some cases, a low-income taxpayer with no children may also be eligible. A refundable credit is a tax credit that low-wage workers can use to generate a refund even if they have no tax liability. Many states, including New Jersey, also have a state Earned Income Tax Credit, which combined with the Federal EITC, helps lift many low-wage workers out of poverty and promotes economic opportunity.

This year, Congress and the President have improved and expanded the array of tax credits, including the Earned Income Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the newly-created Making Work Pay Credit. But it’s important for people to realize the credits aren’t automatic like an income tax refund. They need to apply to the Internal Revenue Service for the credits.

For more information on who is eligible and how to apply, visit the Internal Revenue Service site at www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html

Check out the 2009 EITC Eligibility Data

Food Stamp Update

The severe recession has prompted the federal and state governments to make some improvements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, still known as the Food Stamp Program here in New Jersey where participation has increased by 13% in the past year. The Economic Recovery Act automatically boosted every household’s Food Stamp allotment by 13.6% as of April 1, 2009. To help relieve the backlog of new applications, redetermination periods for existing cases will be extended from 12 to 24 months for seniors and from 6 to 12 months for all others. At initial application, seniors, the disabled and working people can be interviewed over the phone instead of having to visit their county Food Stamp office.

If you or someone you know is struggling financially, you can self-screen for eligibility for Food Stamps or any one of 28 other assistance programs at njhelps.org

Proposed Legislation

Among bills recently introduced in the 111th session of the U.S. Congress are the following:

House Resolution (H.R.) 3625: The Food Marketing in Schools Assessment Act would provide for the Secretary of Education to study and report on the marketing of foods and beverages in elementary and secondary schools.

H.R. 3705: The Expand School Meals Act would increase the number of children eligible for free school meals.

Senate (S.) 1693: would require the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure the safety of school meals by enhancing coordination with States and schools operating school meal programs in the case of a recall of contaminated food.

S. 1737: would increase the number of children eligible for free school meals, with a phased-in transition period, by raising the eligibility level to 172 percent of poverty guidelines by July 1, 2012.

For bill summary and status information, along with the text of legislation, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/ and enter the bill number.

NJ Family Care

Families earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to purchase health insurance on their own, should check out NJ FamilyCare, a health insurance program offered by New Jersey that provides quality, free or low-cost health coverage for uninsured children 18 and younger and some low-income parents. For many families, it costs nothing: no monthly premiums or co-payments. For families with higher monthly incomes, there is a sliding scale for small co-payments and monthly premiums may be required. Most immigrants whose documents allow them to live here permanently are eligible. For undocumented residents, their children may be eligible if born in the U.S.

To learn more, or apply online visit njfamilycare.org

Or, call 1-800-701-0710 (Multilingual operators are available.)

Hunger Here At Home

With the U.S. and world economies in crisis, more unemployed workers, working poor families and seniors on limited incomes than ever are living at the margins of poverty and need help from the nation’s network of food banks and the charities they serve. Food Stamp benefits, income deductions and other qualifications for federal nutrition assistance have not kept pace with inflation, nor do they accurately reflect rising household and living expenses, such as the price of gasoline, electricity, food or medicine.

Participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program is still on the increase. In September, 37.2 million people (one in eight Americans) in nearly 17 million households received benefits. The number of participants in New Jersey increased by 19.2 percent in the last year and by more than 40 percent from 5 years ago.

Food Research and Action Center, December 2009
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Simplified Nutrition Assistance For Seniors (SNAS)

SNAS was just launched in New Jersey. Seniors who are 65 or older, living alone and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be enrolled in the Food Stamp Program at a higher benefit level ranging from $85 to $155 per month, depending upon their housing costs. Potentially eligible seniors will receive a letter informing them about SNAS and a one-page application. Seniors already receiving Food Stamps must wait until their redetermination period to enroll in SNAS.

Male Senior Eating