A Request for Assistance

ByCommunity Forum
On Friday, January 20, 2017, a broad coalition of community organizers met to host a nonpartisan event, “The People’s Inauguration.”  This gathering marked a renewed commitment to social change in our community. Attendees left with concrete things we can do to promote equality, embrace difference, and resist systemic oppression.
 
One request needs immediate attention.  On Monday, January 23rd, at 10 am, there will be a hearing in Indianapolis about proposed legislation, SB 9, currently being considered by the Family and Children’s Services Committee of the Indiana Senate.  The Chair of that Committee is Senator Ronald Grooms, from District 46.  Please contact Senator Grooms and other members of the Committee to share your views on this legislation. https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/committees/family_and_children
 
Background information:
In 1996 a federal law was passed that banned a person convicted of a drug felony from getting SNAP (food stamps) for the rest of their life.  Indiana is 1 of 13 states that has not opted out of this law or modified the Federal law so some drug felons could get SNAP. In Indiana, if the person is disabled and would qualify for SNAP but has a drug felony, the person cannot receive SNAP.  The Indiana General Assembly can opt out of the federal law with the proposed Senate Bill 9.
 
Senate Bill 9: “Supplemental nutrition assistance program and drug convictions” specifies that Indiana elects to opt out of the federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug offenses from receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) assistance.
 
Reasons SB 9 should become law:
 

  • Families and friends will house an ex-offender; however most cannot afford to feed the ex-offender.
  • Some ex-offenders find it difficult to obtain employment.  Those that do often have only part-time employment.
  • Research shows good nutrition helps ease drug cravings http://wellnesscounselingrehab.com/importance-of-good-nutrition-in-recovery/
  • Easing drug craving means less chance of a person returning to drug usage and committing crimes.
  • An adult with no income receives $194 a month in SNAP benefits, for a total of $2,328 in SNAP benefits per year.
  • According to the Indiana Department of Corrections website in 2015 it costs an average of $18,702.60 to keep an adult inmate incarcerated. 
  • If an ex-offender convicted of a drug felony can stay drug free, he/she has less of a reason to commit crimes to support a drug addiction habit.
  • Fewer ex-offenders returning to prisons save Indiana money, thereby allowing this money to be shifted to other Indiana Government priorities.

    
An additional benefit:
The Federal Government allows people living in drug treatment programs like the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Gary) and Shelters (YWCA of North Central Indiana and Center for the Homeless) to use their SNAP benefits to pay for meals furnished by the organization. Allowing the clients to pay for meals using SNAP benefits helps the organizations lower their food cost.  
 
These organizations have ex-offender clients who cannot receive SNAP because of drug felonies and the agencies cannot recoup the cost of feeding ex-offenders and must use money needed for other agency needs.  The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers and YWCA of North Central Indiana serve people from all over Indiana.
 

 

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