Assistance for IDD Adults

[KaylaS (Kayla Spencer)]

As I have worked with adults with intellectual disabilities I noticed something completely astonishing and horrifying. While the fully capable adult in America will receive 291$ of food stamps in one month- these adults who have intellectual disabilities and such limited funds do not even receive that- they receive different levels based on their functioning level- while none of them are able to have a job and live in supportive living environments. I believe if you have an intellectual disability that is severe enough to be considered moderate to severe (meaning you cannot work, cook, or complete many other ADL’s…) that you receive the full amount of food stamps in order to have a healthier and longer life. As these individuals age due to many different changes in healthcare and other factors throughout the years- our country forgets about them. The food stamp amount of my residents who cannot work or provide for themselves ranges from the minimum (a resident with Down syndrome and IDD) is 35 dollars- the maximum is an individual with IDD is only 88 dollars a month. Even with inflation to decrease with Trump in office- these people live off of fixed income and the most processed foods due to their small budget. We all know someone or have someone in our family with a disability- it’s time for us to also protect those who can’t do so themselves- including helping them to have the ability to eat real food. Most don’t know about this population but they didn’t choose to have a disability nor did they choose to have to rely on the government - they deserve us to help hold them up nonetheless.