Chor i am not a lawyer, sampada inquired about food stamp and i checked the california web site for food stamp. It says one can apply food stamp after living five years in USA but this doesn't apply for kids. It says kids are eligible for food stamps regardless for the date of entry. Even the web site given  at USCIS has referred to food stamp as government assistance. It's not me just saying what ever i want but its written over there. I just don't think it will be bad idea for the beginners like this family, but i don't think it is good idea to live in the food stamp forever. Once a person is stable and has good income one won't be eligible for food stamps. I was just talking for temporary. When there are lots of non residence who used WIC plan and emergency medicaid while having baby, what's wrong with people with permanent residence using  this type of government assistance for a while until and unless things gets settled.
My point is as long as one follow rules and regulations set up by USA government why should it be difficult while applying for citizenship. 

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/foodstamps/PG841.htm#citizen

Citizenship/Immigration Status

Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are eligible for food stamps. Eligible household members can get food stamp benefits even if other members of the household are not eligible. Food stamp eligibility is available to most legal immigrants who:

• Have lived in the country for five (5) years, or
• Are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits, regardless of entry date, or
• Are children under 18 years of age regardless of entry date.

Non-citizens who are in the U.S. temporarily, such as students, are not eligible. A number of States have their own programs to provide benefits to immigrants who do not meet the regular Food Stamp Program eligibility requirements. California's program is the California Food Assistance Program.