SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 499 words

COMMITTEE: SENATE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY

HEADLINE: 2002 FARM BILL

TESTIMONY-BY: CELINE DIEPPA

AFFILIATION: MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT

BODY:
July 19, 2001

Celine Dieppa Manchester, Connecticut

Statement before the Senate Agriculture Committee

Good morning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with you today.

My name is Celine Dieppa and I live in Manchester, Connecticut. I am a working mother of a four-year-old daughter, Malexis. I work at Shop Rite of Manchester, a local supermarket. At my job I do a little bit of everything -- I work as a cashier, at customer service and at the lotto desk. I usually work 30 to 35 hours a week, but sometimes I get the chance to work 40 hours or more. I am there six -- and sometimes seven -- days a week. I earn $7.00 an hour. I pay for rent and utilities, and although I do get help with child care costs, I still have to pay $40 each month out of my pocket.

I have been participating in the Food Stamp Program, on and off, for four years. This program has made a big difference for me as I've worked to provide the best for my daughter. I usually receive about $60 to $70 each month in food stamps, but since my income goes up and down, so does the amount of food stamps I get. There are times that I may get just $10 or $20 a month. I really appreciate the help I get from this program, yet there are times when it just isn't enough. Sometimes it can be really hard to afford even the basics -- like milk for my little girl. There have been times that I have had to go to an emergency food pantry to supplement what I could buy in the store. The first time I had to do this I felt embarrassed and hurt that I needed this help even though I was working.

It can be a real challenge and sometimes very frustrating for a busy, working parent like me to remain on the Food Stamp Program. Each month I have to submit a monthly report that asks for information about all my income in the last four weeks, my child care expenses and the child support I received. In addition to filling out the form, I have to attach documents to prove that everything I write on the form is true. I have to be very organized, making sure I keep all my pay stubs and letters and copies of checks. I need to make copies of everything and get the paperwork in on time. If I lose something or I am late, I run the risk of getting cut off the program. I do get health coverage for my child through the state's HUSKY program and I am not asked to report monthly in that program.

This month I am not getting any food stamps at all because I was able to work many more hours than usual last month. But, I am back to my regular work schedule now and I hope that when I submit my report next month I will not have trouble getting back on the program.

Having help from the Food Stamp Program means so much to me and my child. If you can do something to make it easier for working families like mine, who are trying to balance work and meeting the requirements of social services programs, it would be a great help.

Thank you for listening to me this morning.



LOAD-DATE: July 23, 2001