Viviana's Social Experience: A Reflection

A 2018-2019 Reflection of Being Low-Income & Being Accepted for Food Stamps

    This social experiment was rather special to me because back in 2018-2019, I lived at the 150% poverty level line (as a household of 1, not married, no roommates, no kids) and received supplemental nutrition assistance (food stamps). I was 19-20 years old working as a cashier at Food Lion in Fayetteville, NC. I made exactly $9.50 at the time, and I remember being so excited because it was the highest hourly wage I had ever earned. In 2018, the federal poverty guideline for a household of one at 150% was $18,210 annually—and back then I made $18,240 annually.  It was a part time job, so the manager worked with me to keep me under that limit so I would qualify. That meant I would work around 36 hours weekly but did not receive benefits because I wasn’t technically fulltime. I remember struggling so badly to afford my rent and any necessities. I lived by myself in a tiny 600 sqft apartment, and I believe my rent at the time was $650 and electricity was usually between $150-200.  With my wages, I made a little under 1500 every month. This wasn’t even accounting for any other living expenses such as food, household items, clothing, gas, car insurance, etc. All in all, I was stretched out completely thin and when I got approved for Food Stamps…I cried.

I went to the Cumberland County Social Services department with a folder of all my printed bills, bank statements, proof of wages, and even paperwork that my employer had to fill out. I also showed proof of me being a college student (can’t remember if it was part or full-time), and thankfully I was approved for $280 if I recall correctly. My caseworker was extremely sweet and could tell that I genuinely needed help, because despite doing what all I could—it just wasn’t enough to survive.

With a monthly income of $1,500 this was an example of my living expenses, without food or any emergency expenses included:

Rent: $650

PWC (electric): $200

Cellphone: Virgin Mobile prepaid, unlimited minute cards were $55

Car: 2001 Honda Accord—paid off. But gave me constant, expensive mechanical issues.

Car Insurance: $80 limited liability

Gas: $80, or so monthly

Internet: $100

Total:  $1,165

This is how I budgeted for food before Food Stamps: Aldis & Walmart Great Value brand.

I would buy basic food staples such as rice, bread, milk, and water at the lowest pricing from generic brands, at around $0.99 to $3. For example, a 1lb of Walmart Great Value Long Grain White Rice sells currently for $0.92 and $2.26 for a gallon of Great Value 2% milk. I would also stock up on quick and easy foods such as ramen bowls, hot pockets, pop-tarts, cereal, and frozen dinners. Meat was the most expensive food item and pricing would vary.

Post-Food Stamps I was able to splurge a lot more and buy more nutritious options. I could afford to cook using actual fresh ingredients, so I’d buy fruits and more vegetables, better cuts of meat, and fewer frozen items. Natural fruit juices, sourdough bread, and deli meats—were all now available options. Honestly, $280 in Food Stamps was an abundant blessing. Because of my money-saving habits, I never spent the full amount in a month unless I wanted to splurge.

As a reflection, the income challenges I experienced in my teens and early 20s made me resilient. It wasn’t fun, nor ever a good time---because unhealthy foods were often cheaper, I gained a lot of weight, my sleeping schedule (due to working graveyard shift) was chaotic, I had no social life, no family support network, and my mental and physical health was rapidly declining.  Being limited income severely impacted my health and general well-being, and I can attest that money may not buy happiness, but it can 100% open doors to educational and work opportunities, food security, housing security, medical care, and mental health care.

Since then, I’ve made wonderful friendships, married a wonderful man, continued my education, and currently work in a stable career. I’m now in a place where all the bills are on autopay, and I don’t feel scared about how I’ll get my next meal or if I can afford to take a day off if I’m sick.

Thank you for reading!