SNAP/Food Stamps and LIHEAP Require Minimal Cost from Counties

June 8, 2010

My View: Truth is, HEAP, Food Stamps not Unfunded Mandates

Times Herald-Record, March 4, 2010

While Medicaid benefits require a 25 percent “local share” of expenditures, which can impose on counties a financial burden, SNAP/Food Stamps and the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are 100 percent federally-funded, writes Gene Doyle in this op-ed. Neither of these programs represent “unfunded mandates” and county funds are not expended for either program.

Doyle references the January 2008 analysis by Moody’s Economy.com, which found that $1 in SNAP/Food Stamp benefits yields close to $2 in economic benefits. Local elected officials weaken their case for greater financial and state aid when they criticize federally funded programs that are locally administered.” Read more…

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