Number Of Americans On Food Stamps Rising

WASHINGTON — More Americans than ever before received food stamps in June, the Department of Agriculture said on Thursday, with more than 35 million Americans receiving assistance.

The numbers are 22 percent higher than in June 2008. The number of Americans receiving food stamps rose by more than 700,000 people compared to May.

The USDA administers the food stamp program, which was renamed in October as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, through its Food and Nutrition Service. The program helps to cover grocery costs for poor Americans.

The food stamp program was established by Congress in 1964, which was then revised by the Food Stamp Act of 1977.

The average recipient of food stamps in June received more than $133 in assistance. The average household received more than $293. Overall, the USDA distributed more than $4.6 billion in food stamps in June. They went to 35,122,123 recipients.

The numbers, while only one indicator, are a sign that Americans continue to struggle with the country's economic downturn. June was the eighth straight month that the number of people on food stamps rose.

Persons or households who have a gross monthly income of 130 percent or less of the U.S. poverty level are eligible for food stamps.

Comments

[SonofLiberty1]

01:06 AM on 09/06/2009

I believe this shows that things are worse then some want us to believe

[BannedNBoston]

03:44 PM on 09/04/2009

Minimum wage in France is $12 an hour.
They have very low poverty and lower foodstamp use.

[beyondliberal]

02:46 PM on 09/04/2009

A person must at least be a US permanent resident (i.e., "green card" holder) in order to be eligible for food stamps. Lots of Hispanics are here illegally, so they don't qualify.
My roommate is permanently disabled, a US citizen, more than 130% below the poverty level, and on SSDI. She gets $39 (yes, you read that right) per month in food stamps. It's a joke; how many groceries can a person buy? It doesn't even cover the milk, bread, and produce she needs to get through the month, so she's forced to go to the local food bank.
It's beyond shameful how the elderly, children, and the disabled are treated in the US-- all of whom don't have voices loud enough to be heard.
Greatest country on earth? To think so is to have no understanding of how other industrialized nations care for their citizens. Pure, unadulterated ethnocentrism reigns supreme in the good 'ol USA.

[mauinlv]

02:46 PM on 10/09/2009

"A person must at least be a US permanent resident (i.e., "green card" holder) in order to be eligible for food stamps. Lots of Hispanics are here illegally, so they don't qualify."

That is absolutely correct, however... their US born children do. Since the illegal parents are not eligible to participate they are also not required to do any of the work program requirements that you, the US citizen or the legal permanent resident are required to do to qualify for the benefits for your family. Also the income of the illegal parent is prorated among those "eligible to particate" and the "not eligible to participate" in the household. What that means is the household with the illegal resident can make the same amount of money as a household with all legal residents and qualify while the legal resident household may be denied for being over income.

And the icing on the cake... in 1997 with Welfare reform, the TANF cash aid program became a time limited program. An adult household may only participate or receive TANF cash for 60 months in a lifetime. The household with the illegal parents (and US children) are not eligible to participate so the time limit cannot be imposed. In other words, the illegal parents can collect TANF cash until their US citizen children turn 18. You the US citizen... 5 years and your done. NO EXCEPTIONS!

[apolloguide]

11:26 AM on 09/04/2009

How long will it take the administration economists to tout this as an indication that the TARP is working?

When the monthly unemployment numbers of additional recipients decrease as they did this month, Barry-O goes on TV and proclaims that the plan is working and prosperity is just around the corner. And by Thanksgiving, when the unemployment insurance runs out completely and 70% of the population is receiving food stamps will Barry throw a party and proclaim victory ?

The problems in the economy were the result of too much money going to the top of the food chain to the wealthy with nothing left for the base of the population. If they had paid attention to Krugmann, myself, and others and put the money in at the bottom then the money would have kept people alive and would have kept small businesses alive. This current situation is going to be so bad as to demand martial law as the weak and poorly nutritioned panic and go crazy as they are already doing in the Deep South.

[sc300nc]

08:49 AM on 09/04/2009

Welcome to ObamaLand. Enjoy your stay.

[LuckyGrad68]

02:06 AM on 09/04/2009

OK explain this. I live between two homeless shelters and there are many white and some black people with no income whatsoever eating there. There are hardly any Hispanics. Why is it mainly white and black if they too can really get this free food from the government...hmm?

[clearthinker2008]

06:47 AM on 09/04/2009

There are plenty of Hispanics on food stamps, just because there are not many where you live doesn't make the fact that many Hispanics are also on food stamps less true. However, this is a tough time for everyone and I believe that was what the story was about. Lots of people broke, lots of people on food stamps...

[apolloguide]

11:34 AM on 09/04/2009

I would guess that most of the Hispanics are employed by restaurants, farms, and the agricultural support industries and are getting food as part of their compensation one way or another. They are crammed together and sharing the food that they gather. Whites and Blacks don't trust one another in an intra-racial and inter-racial manner and are not working as chefs, cooks, and farm labor. Whites and Blacks are getting thinner; while Hispanics are getting richer slices of the pie and remain out of the politics as much as they are able.

[Weirdwriter]

02:04 AM on 09/04/2009

The Republicans have tried to cut the food stamps program so often I'm just thankful it's still around. Having been on it as a child, however, I know that a month's allotment barely stretches enough to cover the basics.

[redhead61]

02:33 PM on 09/06/2009

I would LOVE to see a group of Republican right wingers live on food stamps for one month..

[lippylaroux]

09:35 PM on 09/03/2009

The rich employers are not providing jobs and raises for those so lucky to still be employed until the outrageous attack by the Socialists on the capitalist system stops.... Period..

[Thomas Murphy]

12:10 PM on 09/04/2009

Using words like "Socialists" is ridiculous, simple-minded, and meaningless nowadays. Quit using words as scare tactics, and stop proving how empty-headed you are.

[SonofLiberty1]

01:07 AM on 09/06/2009

The problem is that there are quite a number of these folks:(

[indy100]

07:29 PM on 09/03/2009

I hope the names of all food stamp recipients are matched to voting records, and those who voted for George Bush TWICE, and for John McCain are excluded from eligibility. They're conservatives and Republicans and they don't need evil social programs!