Food+Stamp+Event

Event information submitted by Cecelia Thompson Chairperson, Philadelphia Right to Education Local Task Force 2008 Food Stamp Forum:  Bigger Benefits, Expanded Eligibility A World Food Day Tribute October 16, 2008 United Way Building, Ben Franklin Parkway at 17th Street

9:00AM-12:00PM The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger announces __The 2008 Food Stamp Forum: Bigger Benefits; Expanded Eligibility__  — a critical learning experience for all who serve the public or want to alleviate hunger in our community

** **Food Stamps: What’s New and Why It Matters**  **

The Food Stamp Program serves as the nation’s first line of defense against hunger. More than 26 million Americans (of whom 430,000 live in the five-county Philadelphia area) rely on food stamps to help feed their families. On October 1, 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare will implement significant changes to the program, which will expand eligibility and increase benefits. Among the most exciting changes are: ·  ****  Elimination of the asset test  ******  **for nearly all households in Pennsylvania through expanded categorical eligibility.**  **  Households can now receive food stamps even if they have modest savings. This will allow families and seniors to protect their hard-earned nest eggs and promote a financially stable future. ·  ****  Raising and indexing for inflation the standard deduction and minimum benefit. ******** These changes will begin to offset the eroding purchasing power of food stamps. On October 1, the minimum benefit will rise from $10 to $14 a month, and the standard deduction (for housing, transportation, and other expenses) will be indexed to inflation. ****  To register, send an email tockerr@hungercoalition.orgor call 215-430-0555. **Event Summary** **// //**The 2008 Food Stamp Forum: Bigger Benefits, Expanded Eligibility**//  //** **// //**will highlight changes to the Food Stamp Program on the national, state, and local levels, and provide details on their impact on the people we serve, school-age children, and**//  //** **// //**the business community.**//  //**
 * · ****   ****  Elimination of the cap on the child and dependent care deduction.  ********  In the past, program rules would only count a portion of a household’s dependent care costs. Now, parents trying to hold onto jobs or pursue education and training can pay for quality child care (or care for an elderly or disabled household member) while receiving higher food stamp benefits.  ****
 * ** **9:00 Sign-in and coffee**  **
 * ** **9:30 __Press Conference__: Food Stamp Program enhancements**  **
 * ** **Estelle Richman, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare**  **
 * ** **Cheryl Cook, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture**  **
 * ** **Pauline Abernathy, Senior Advisor to Mayor Michael Nutter**  **
 * ** **Yvette Jackson, Regional Administrator, Food and Nutrition Services, USDA**  **
 * ** **Wayne Grasela, Sr. Vice President, Food Services, School District of Philadelphia**  **
 * ** **Paul Brauer, Director of Human Resources and Community Affairs,**  **
 * **ShopRite Supermarkets** **
 * ** **10:15 __Keynote address__: ////Economic Policy and the Dinner Table////**  **
 * ** **Deborah Weinstein, Director, Coalition on Human Needs**  **
 * ** **10:30 __Reaching out to key constituencies: consecutive panels__**  **
 * ** **Families with Children: Larger benefits in leaner times; access to**  **
 * **free school meals** **
 * ** **Immigrants: Understanding eligibility, expanding outreach**  **
 * ** **Seniors: Protecting the hard-earned nest egg, encouraging participation**  **