Fifteen dollar food stamps not enough for one elderly couple

NEW HANOVER COUNTY--Joy and Don McCormack say the cost of their medications, medical bills and a struggling ecomony forced them to apply for food stamps. They qualified, but it wasn't for the amount they were expecting. "I thought $15.00 dollars a month! oh my goodness, I thought how can you live and exist on $15.00 dollars a month." Joy McCormack says. Director of Social Services Sam Lane says the reason why the McCormack's only qualify for $15.00 dollars is because they actually make too much money. They fall in an income bracket just low enough for them to qualify for help. Because the income brackets are the same across the board in North Carolina, there's nothing he can do to adjust their food stamp rates. Lane says he does share some of the stories of struggling families with legislators in hopes positive legislation can change the rates. Until then, the McCormacks will have to continue to stretch their dollars and cents. "It's horrible and it's a shame", Joy McCormack says, "It's very difficult for us seniors." Thursday, Congress over rode President Bush veto and passed a 290 billion dollar farm bill. It includes 1 billion dollars a year for nutrition programs like food stamps. Help may be on the way for the McCormacks.