Mar 31st 2008, 08:14

Food Stamp Use Increases As Jobs Go Down

There are expected 28 million Americans to receive Food Stamps this coming year, the highest number it has ever achieved.  Much of this was caused by economic slowdown and inflation in prices of the basic goods, which will be harder for low-income families than before.

Benefit costs are expected to rise to $36 billion for the next year as opposed to $34 billion this year of 2008.  Stacy Dean, director of the Food Stamp policy, said that people apply for Food Stamps when they lose work or get paid less because of reduced working hours, also noting the 14 States that had a rise in Food Stamp sign-ups.

In Michigan, where 12.5% of the people receive Food Stamps, had its sign-ups doubled, according to Michigan HHS spokeswoman Maureen Sorbet.  From December 2006 to December 2007, there was an increase in the need for Food Stamps in more than 40 States counting Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, and Rhode Island.

Benefit levels are adjusted every June according to the food plan calculated by the Department of Agriculture.  Since there is a price increase of about 5% on food this year, benefit levels will also rise on June.

If ‘standard deductions’ from living costs, which is subtracted from the family income to determine eligibility and benefit levels, continue to rise with inflation, the average mother with two children would be getting an additional $37 per month.

Along with the struggle is the WIC program or nutrition program for women, infants, and children because of increases in milk and cheese prices, plus the growing enrollment.  The program has been servicing 8.5 million pregnant women and children up to the age of 4.  If States are to avoid waiting lists for the WIC program, the Congress must approve a tremendous increase over its current budget of $6 billion.

To learn more of the Food Stamp Program (FSP), visit:
www.fns.usda.gov/cga/FactSheets/food_stamps.htm

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