Newark Mayor Takes $4 A Day Food Challenge

No Job? Large Family? Could You Eat On $4 A Day?

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker begins the "SNAP Challenge" Wednesday, attempting to eat on $4.40 a day.  The Mayor decided to take up the challenge after a North Carolina woman recently debated him on Twitter where he has 1.3 million followers. He's made almost 23,000 tweets. (@corybooker)

The 39-year old married mother of two tweeted to Booker “nutrition is not the responsibility of the gov’t,” to which Booker replied, “We have a shared responsibility that kids go to school nutritionally ready 2 learn.”
The New Jersey average SNAP (formerly food stamp, now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit is about $133 a month.

Booker has endeared himself to New Jersey residents. He once went on a 10-day outdoor hunger strike to bring attention to the dangers of open-air drug dealing and rushed into a burning building to rescue a sleeping neighbor.

SNAP eligibility is based on financial and non-financial factors. The application process includes completing and filing an application form, being interviewed, and verifying facts crucial to determining eligibility.

Legal immigrants who are children or disabled can now get SNAP benefits, as can legal immigrants who have legally resided in the United States for at least 5 years.

Other legal immigrants and any undocumented immigrants are ineligible for SNAP benefits. Also, many able-bodied, childless, unemployed adults have time limits on their receipt of SNAP benefits.

(Video: How To Take The SNAP Food Challenge)

Maximum Benefit Amounts And Income Requirements
USDA income/asset rules for eligibility by state
Most States Have Relaxed Maximum Asset Rules especially for seniors and disabled
Some State Have Raised Maximum Income Rules to benefit working families
Federal Food And Nutrition Programs