Write A Letter - Working Poor

Date: __________________

Dear Senator/Representative/Governor ___________________________,

I am requesting your support for legislation that will expand food stamp accessibility to more working poor American families.  The United States is referred to as the “land of opportunity” where individuals and families can improve their lives through hard work and sacrifice.  However, the opportunities offered by our country are not equally available to all Americans.  The Working Poor Families Project, which was supported by the Annie E. Casey, Ford, and Rockefeller foundations, found that “one out of four American working families now earn wages so low that they have difficulty surviving financially.”  The same study revealed that forty percent of minority working families are low-income, twice the percentage of white working families.  Of the 9.2 million low-income working families, 2.5 million are officially in poverty (earning less than $18,392 for a family of four).  We, as a nation, must adopt a multi-pronged strategy that includes investing in education and targeted-skills training along with improving supports for working poor families.  Our country cannot live up to its reputation as the land of opportunity when millions of hard working Americans are trapped in low-paying jobs that do not provide them with enough income to feed their children.

The federal Food Stamp Program can prevent working poor families from suffering extreme hunger.  But many people who are currently eligible for the program do not know they can receive benefits.  Other eligible low-income people are discouraged by the application process that often requires multiple visits to social service departments and unnecessarily long applications accompanied by tedious documentation.  I am requesting your support on the following policy initiatives to expand food stamp accessibility to more low-income working Americans:

• Improve governmental and non-profit outreach efforts, especially those focusing on populations underserved by the Food Stamp Program (e.g. immigrants).

• States should take advantage of all the options they have under federal law to simplify the Food Stamp Program, making it easier for low-income households to apply, secure benefits, and maintain benefits.  States should provide easy-to-use mail-in and online applications so individuals do not have to take time off from work and risk losing their jobs to apply for food stamp benefits. 

Thank you for your attention to the plight of working poor families in America.  I look forward to your reply regarding whether you support legislation and policy changes that will ensure workers can obtain nutritious food for their families.

Sincerely,
_______________________  (Signature)

_______________________  (Printed or typed name)   

_______________________  (Address)