SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 15

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

4029L.01I

            Whereas, the Food Stamp Program serves as the first line of defense against hunger in this country by enabling low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and electronic benefits transfer cards; and

            Whereas, the Food Stamp Program is the cornerstone of the federal food assistance programs and provides crucial support to needy households by allowing recipients to spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores; and

            Whereas, most food stamp rules apply to all households, but there are a few special rules for households that have an elderly or disabled member. Under the Program, a person is considered elderly if he or she is 60 years of age or older; and

            Whereas, for 2006, a household with an elderly member may have up to $3000 in resources as compared to a household without an elderly member which may have up to $2000 in resources. In addition to the resource limits, there is a monthly gross income test and a monthly net income test to maintain eligibility; and

            Whereas, in addition to the allowable deductions for all households, the elderly receive a deduction for allowable medical costs paid by the elderly member that are more than $35 a month. The allowable medical costs include most medical and dental expenses, such as doctor bills, prescription drugs and other over-the-counter medication when approved by a doctor, dentures, hospital expenses, nursing care, some transportation costs, attendant care, and health insurance premiums; and

            Whereas, while the allowed deductions and exclusions are certainly helpful in allowing the elderly to receive the needed food assistance, one of the largest expenditures made by the elderly is not included in those deductions or exclusions. Many of the elderly have and will continue to experience large heating bills this winter, with some estimates suggesting that heating expenditures may more than double this year; and

            Whereas, many low-income elderly people will be forced to choose between paying the heating bill and buying food; and

            Whereas, due to the unique needs of low-income elderly created by the skyrocketing price of heating fuels, a waiver or amendment to the administrative oversight for the federal Food Stamp Program is needed to ensure that the necessary food assistance is available to our most vulnerable citizens:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby urge the United States Congress and the United States Department of Agriculture to waive or amend the administrative oversight for the federal Food Stamp Program to increase the availability of food assistance for our low-income elderly citizens; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for Mike Johanns, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.