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Yes, Social Security Is An 'Entitlement'

No doubt you've heard this before, on your Twitter or Facebook, or among your friends:

"Social Security isn't an entitlement, it's an earned benefit!"

See, for example, this The Hill opinion piece from late October, the title of which contains the entire thesis: "Treat Social Security the way President Roosevelt intended, as an insurance program not an entitlement." The author, Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.), laments that "Republicans have tried to privatize [Social Security and Medicare and] label it as a welfare or entitlement program." And as of this writing, a Google search pulls up numerous recent instances of recent letters-to-the-editor, such as this one at the East Oregonian ("The GOP leadership has started referring to Social Security and Medicare as "entitlements" . . . But . . . These are benefits we have earned and paid for with deductions from our paychecks . . . . They are not gifts."), the Dayton Observer ("It's their money, not a gift or entitlement from the government."), and another at the Lynchberg News & Advance, ("Social Security is not entitlement programs [sic] (nor is Medicare); rather that it is a program that folks have paid into all their working lives.").

Of course, that's all a bit silly.

An "entitlement," as a type of federal spending, is a government program in which recipients automatically receive benefits that they're eligible for based on the applicable legislation. Social Security is an entitlement because everyone who meets the eligibility criteria (40 "quarters" of eligible earnings) is entitled to a benefit. No one is dependent on Congress to appropriate spending every year in order to receive their Social Security checks.

SNAP (food stamps) is also an entitlement program. Here's GettingSNAP.Org:

SNAP is a federal entitlement program. This means anyone who is eligible will receive benefits. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you apply.

By comparison, Section 8 housing vouchers are a government program that is not an entitlement. This doesn't have anything to do with whether or not it's a "welfare" program but simply because Congress appropriates a certain sum of money for the program regardless of whether it's enough to give benefits to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria. Those hoping to receive benefits end up on waiting lists because the number of people seeking benefits far outstrips the funds available.

Why, then, do Republicans say things like, "we have to consider entitlement reform in order to reduce the federal deficit?" The same reason that the bank robber gave: "it's where the money is." Yes, it is true that the government could take in more revenue if Congress chose to re-raise taxes, and it's beyond the scope of this article to discuss the question of what tax rates should look like. But federal spending on the "Big Three" of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid comprise 48% of federal spending -- with the remainder taken up by the military (15%), other mandatory spending like unemployment compensation, federal employees' retirement benefits, and SNAP benefits (15%), interest on the national debt (7%), leaving only the remaining 15% for non-military discretionary spending such as transportation, education, and housing. (That's from 2017, as featured in a handy Wikipedia infographic.) And as a reminder, spending on these programs is forecast to grow dramatically over the next several decades.

This should not be a surprise.

Instead, it seems to have become what you might call a dog whistle, except in reverse. Conservatives aren't using "entitlement reform" as a means of speaking to their base that's invisible to everyone else. Instead, it's progressives who hear "entitlement reform" entirely differently, as if conservatives are saying, "these are welfare programs with handouts to lazy layabouts that don't deserve them."

I have to admit that this puzzles me. Perhaps this is like the Yanni/Lauren dispute or the time that my teen enjoyed finding high pitched noises on Youtube and asking me whether I could hear them, but I cannot "hear" the word "entitlement program" as anything other than a straightforward way of categorizing programs where people who qualify are entitled to the benefits rather then Congress appropriating a given amount of money each year and good luck to you if you are stuck on a wait list.

But it does appear that -- for, well, People Who Are Not Me, "entitlement" is a pejorative. For reasons that aren't entirely clear to me, those who object to the phrase connect it up with a negative sort of behavior, "having a sense of entitlement," meaning expecting success in life that one doesn't deserve, for instance, for instance, a stereotypical young man feeling "entitled" to having the woman of his choice go out on a date with him or feeling "entitled" to a good grade in his college class or a pay raise or promotion regardless of effort.

All that being said, I'm very much in favor of discussing the future of Social Security, and of retirement, with a common set of facts and vocabulary. And I'd be happy to say that if significant numbers of people are misinterpreting the expression "entitlement program," we should change our terminology. But I don't see what alternate expression is on offer that expresses the core challenge of these programs, that the benefits and eligibility are fixed by law in a way that makes it very difficult to modify spending in the future.

What do you think? Tell me at JaneTheActuary.Com!

7 Food Stamp Mistakes People Make

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Formerly known as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helped nearly 42 million Americans cope with food insecurity in 2021. But millions are still missing out on benefits despite being eligible, and many more aren't getting the most out of the benefits they are receiving. Here's a look at the most common mistakes that keep qualifying people from collecting benefits and that keep beneficiaries from maximizing their SNAP payments.

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Thinking You Can't Apply For Other Programs

According to the National Council on Aging, around 5 million seniors who are eligible for SNAP are missing out on benefits. Many of them might not be applying because they presume that they can't collect Social Security and food stamps simultaneously — but they can.

Although the USDA counts Social Security payments as regular income when determining eligibility, participation in one program does not preclude you from the other. In fact, you can apply for SNAP at your local Social Security office.

You can also receive SNAP while collecting SSI benefits, receiving Medicaid, living in Section 8 housing or participating in any other assistance program as long as you qualify.

Food Stamps: Do People on SNAP Need To Work Full Time?

Not Maximizing Deductions

The USDA determines SNAP eligibility by income and the number of people in your household. Many people who might be eligible don't apply because they don't meet the income threshold. But the USDA allows for several deductions that could help you qualify even if you earn more than the income limits allow. Deductions include:

A 20% earned income deduction

A standard deduction based on household size

A dependent care deduction

Non-reimbursed medical expenses over $35 per month for seniors or disabled household members

Child support payments (in some states)

A shelter deduction for homeless households (in some states)

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Not Knowing What You Can Buy

The USDA does not allow SNAP recipients to buy certain items, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, pet food, hot food and live animals.

But many beneficiaries mistakenly believe that they can't use food stamps for junk food like candy and snacks, but the truth is that SNAP can satisfy your sweet tooth. On top of standard grocery items like produce, meat, dairy, bread and cereal, the USDA allows the purchase of a wide variety of so-called "accessory foods," including chips, pretzels, popcorn, candy, ice cream, doughnuts, brownies, mints, chocolate, soda, nonsupplement energy drinks and many other nonstaple items.

Not Using Coupons and Cash-Back Apps

It's common for SNAP recipients to believe they can't use coupons, but according to the USDA, "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) clients may use cents-off coupons issued by a manufacturer or store."

They're also free to use coupon and cash-back apps like Ibotta, Rakuten, Coupons.Com and Fetch Rewards.

Cash-back apps like Ibotta can come in doubly handy because they give back money that shoppers can then use to buy necessities that SNAP won't pay for like diapers and medicine.

Not Shopping According to a Plan

The USDA maintains a list of links and resources that help all shoppers get the most bang for their buck at the grocery store. Meal planning is at the heart of smart shopping — and SNAP recipients stand to benefit the most.

By planning out your week's meals in advance, you can head to the grocery store knowing exactly which ingredients you need, saving you time and preventing wasteful spending.

The USDA's list includes several weekly meal-planning templates to help you get started, and you'll also find shopping tips, sample menus and more.

According to ABC Action News, shoppers can save hundreds of dollars on grocery bills and avoid impulse shopping by planning just three to four dinners per week.

Skipping the Farmers Market

The USDA maintains an updated list of the hundreds of farmer's markets across America that accept food stamps — and all SNAP recipients should consider that option. According to CNBC, farmer's markets were historically more expensive than supermarkets, but high inflation has pushed prices up at the grocery store faster than at the local community market.

There is now significant price parity between the two, and in some cases, farmer's markets are even cheaper. If prices are close, your EBT money might be better spent at a farmer's market because the fruits and vegetables you find there are usually fresher — and therefore more nutritious — than what you'd find in the supermarket produce aisle.

Missing Out on SNAP-Focused Discounts

Amazon offers SNAP recipients half-price Prime membership. Museums For All offers beneficiaries free or reduced-price admission to more than 900 museums across the country. Many YMCA chapters also cut the membership cost for SNAP recipients.

But that's by no means the whole list.

If you're eligible for SNAP, you probably qualify for the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which supplements household broadband costs, as well as the Lifeline program, which gives out free tablets. Lime offers discounts for its bike-sharing program, as does Citi Bike — and the list goes on and on. If you receive food stamps, you probably qualify for discounts on all kinds of products, services and programs from corporations, nonprofits and public agencies.

Low Income Relief maintains a list of more than 300 discounts available to SNAP recipients.

Social Security Administration Seeks To Expand Access To Supplemental Security Income

Washington - Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

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SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.

"Helping eligible people access critical benefits, including SSI, is part of Social Security's core mission," said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. "Underserved communities face additional challenges, like unreliable or no access to the internet and computers, that widen the divide. Social Security's campaign strives to reach people in their communities to tell them about the eligibility criteria for SSI, and how to contact us online at www.Ssa.Gov/ssi or by phone for more information or an appointment to apply." The campaign supports President Biden's Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Social Security used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.

Social Security's campaign uses a variety of ways to reach people, including radio and television public service announcements (PSA), radio ads, mailers, bus shelter and other large signs, flyers distributed to local stores, and printed publications in several language options.

Watch the 60-second television PSA.

Social Security also is reaching more people online through social media, digital, YouTube ads, and search engine marketing.

Individuals who receive SSI may qualify for other financial help, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and discounted internet service through the Federal Trade Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits may also be eligible for SSI.

People with limited income and financial resources, and with access to the internet, should visit www.Ssa.Gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility and request an appointment to apply for benefits. People without access to the internet can call Social Security's National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.

In addition to this campaign, Social Security recently proposed simplifications to the SSI program when people are receiving food assistance. The proposed changes will simplify the rules, making it easier to understand and comply with program requirements. This will save time for the public and Social Security and improve the equitable treatment of food assistance within the SSI program. Social Security accepted comments about the proposed rule through April 17, 2023.

Source: Social Security Administration

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