North Carolina is first state to cut welfare amid federal shutdown

[JonLP24]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - North Carolina has become the first state to cut off welfare benefits to poor residents in the wake of the partial federal government shutdown, ordering a halt to processing November applications until a deal is reached to end the federal standstill.

More than 20,000 people - most of them children - receive monthly benefits aimed at helping them buy food and other basic supplies through North Carolina's welfare program, called Work First, which is fully funded by the federal government. Recipients must reapply each month.

The state's Department of Health and Human Services told its local offices in a letter dated October 10 not to process applications for November benefits until the federal government reaches a deal to restore normal operations.

"We are heavily dependent on federal dollars," said Julie Henry, spokeswoman for the state HHS department. "When these kinds of things happen at the federal level, it has an immediate impact."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/16/us-usa-fiscal-northcarolina-idUSBRE99F00Y20131016

[uppityperson]

1. Hurt those who need it the most. :(

[DonViejo]

2. No. Arizona was first.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014613929

[JonLP24]

3. Wierd

Well I can't change the title.

[DonViejo]

7. Didn't ask you to change the title...

Just letting you know, Reuters screwed up.

[JonLP24]

8. I know you didn't ask me too

and thanks for letting me know.

[former9thward]

11. AZ was temporary.

The state reversed it after a couple of days.

[DonViejo]

15. But it was still first, and that's the issue; nothing more, nothing less eom

[R Merm]

4. With the neediest being harmed by the shut down

the tea party idiots are only concerned that the WWII memorial is closed. What a bunch of mean, self centered bastards.

[SummerSnow]

6. They care nothing about vets...

When they come back home they treat them like crap. Such phony outrage. Just want to bitch about nonsense

[awoke_in_2003]

9. Yep, they use vets...

as props for a photo op.

[freshwest]

12. +1

[Miranda4peace]

5. SICK, I'm sure they are addressing the corporate/bank subsidies and tax shelters

that corporations operating in South Carolina use to hide money and avoid taxes.

NOT

[Califa]

10. Compassionate conservatism at it's finest. n/t

[treestar]

13. I'm sure the churches will step up to help them

[albino65]

14. I love North Carolina

I enjoy vacationing there. I love the shore. I love the mountains. I love traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. I love spending a lot of discretionary money there.

I hate that they go out of their way to disenfranchise voters, especially black voters. I hate that they turn to the poor to relieve their budget. I hate that they selectively thump their bibles. They need to read their own bibles:

Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

[albino65]

16. I forgot to mention it

One of our best tools we have is to vote with out wallets. I will eliminate North Carolina as a vacation spot and possible retirement state.