Nationwide — An African American woman has gone viral after posting a video expressing her frustration about her food stamp benefits being cut drastically from $738 to just $85. She says the sudden drop leaves her with no choice but to consider stealing food to survive. The clip has since sparked strong reactions online. The woman speaks directly to the camera, explaining how the sudden cut makes it nearly impossible to buy basic groceries for herself and her family. She says the change hit without warning and left her feeling hopeless.
She stresses how the change impacts her daily life, and she’s unsure how she’ll get by. With a serious tone, she tells viewers not to judge her if they see her stealing food.
The video has garnered nearly 50,000 views and sparked a wave of mixed reactions. Some people sympathized with her situation, understanding how difficult it can be to make ends meet. Others criticized her, suggesting she should find work instead of relying on government help.
This video comes at a time when food stamp access is tightening under the Trump-era policy changes, where stricter rules and cuts aimed at tightening eligibility led to millions losing or seeing reduced benefits. These changes have made it harder for many low-income families to access enough food.