Food Stamp Usage Continues Climbing To Highest Level Ever

The number of people using food stamps hit an all-time high in May 2011. According to the USDA, 45,753,078 Americans and 21,581,234 households use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps.

Zero Hedge notes that much of the 1.1 million increase from April 2011 comes from the state of Alabama, in which food stamp usage shot up from 868,000 to 1,762,000.

The past three fiscal years have show a tremendous growth of SNAP usage. In 2008, about 28.2 million people used food stamps compared to about 33.5 million in 2009 and 40.3 million in 2010. In order to be eligible for SNAP, a person must make less than $1,174, among other requirements.

The population of the United States is around 311,907,122, meaning that almost 15 percent of U.S. residents use food stamps.

Comments

[flnative52]

09:30 AM on 08/07/2011

It's a necessary program for many, but I wish they would crack down on the maggots that are fraudulenty receiving these forms of welfare. I know several

[Bueno Hombre]

07:52 PM on 08/06/2011

15% of our "Fellow Citizens" are using food stamps and the compassionate-conservative Republicans say our churches will feed them so cut the budget. I would like to hear from our Christian Religious Leaders how they plan to do this. If the churches can't feed all these people then it is time for them to shout from their pulpits that enough is enough and call on the Republicans to stop lying. I believe government is the only organization that can design a program to feed almost 46 million Americans acrosss 50 states. The alternative is Somalia - starve and die from malnutrition. I think it is more economical and sustainable for the government to collect taxes and feed our citizens then to depend on hit and miss donations which results in kids going to school hungry, senior citizens making a choice between medicine and food, and out of work parents seeing their children cry for food. Those going without food will get sick and have to go to a hospital for care thus increasing the costs from cuts to the program. Of course I think it is completely acceptable to look for abuse and punish to the full extent of the law those who are abusing the system. But we must remember that investigating abuse means hiring someone to investigate. That has to be cost effective. Do our elected officials seek any solution to the problem?

[AintPickinNoDamCotton]

10:07 AM on 08/06/2011

90% of white America think Blacks get 99% of the food stamps benefit,news flash try cutting it and see how many white people hurt.There is no way 15% of American blacks can get 99% of government benefit,do your math smart people.While the war is against black people keep letting the mexican come take over your country.

[twistyswirl]

02:41 PM on 08/07/2011

I'm sorry but where is the link to your supposed statistics? Your attitude does not help your cause

[AintPickinNoDamCotton]

12:29 PM on 08/14/2011

kmsl,my cause lol,my attitude smdh,my statistics omg......

[natval]

12:20 PM on 08/13/2011

you are correct

[AintPickinNoDamCotton]

12:30 PM on 08/14/2011

are you a leader or a follower smdh

[cookiecat]

12:15 AM on 08/06/2011

For the price of a value meal a person could easily feed a family of 4 a healthy meal....

[nerdyjen]

05:01 AM on 08/09/2011

So, you have some recipes that can feed someone for less than $3?

[elamatt]

09:13 PM on 08/05/2011

These food stamps are a life-line, literally, for millions of people who now are using them through no fault of their own. They'd rather be working, but families must eat. The first politician to make a disparaging comment about an increase in funding, due to so many "being on food stamps", because s/he sees them as lazy, should be required to live on food stamps for a month, then put his/her money where they babble and rant!

[CDL1]

06:42 PM on 08/07/2011

I doubt that will ever happen considering that fact that every politician who voted and fought against gov healthcare receives gov healthcare.

[elamatt]

07:42 PM on 08/07/2011

Yep, those blinders are firmly fixed, aren't they?

[Vic22]

10:08 PM on 08/04/2011

And the top 400 families make an average of 270 Million a year, and they think that this country is trying to redistribute the wealth downward. Shame on them

[Gmoney1]

09:33 PM on 08/04/2011

you mean red state alabama where the tbaggers are concentrated -

[Susan Osterhout Troiano]

02:26 PM on 08/04/2011

No one asked to be unemployed, and when the unemployment runs out more people need assistant. Too many people’s pride are shattered, and our ability to take care of our family and self makes one feel so worthless, and a failure. I wish those with jobs zip their mouths because they have no idea what it feels like and the frustration one endures. Everything one worked for and now gone. People starving, people dying, people in tents or on the streets it will only get worse. Not one politician can relate to any of this. So if they are trying to work on a budget we the people should put them on a budget starting with pay cuts. None are worth the amount of money they make.

[natval]

12:28 PM on 08/13/2011

If you are truly looking for work then you are the exception. I interview thousands of people applying for assistance and I could write a book about the responses I've received from applicants when I ask them what kind of work can they do (NY now requires people to work for their benefits). I've been cursed out many time and have been told "I'm not working for no damn food stamps." and that's the PG version.

[Susan Osterhout Troiano]

01:55 PM on 08/13/2011

I apply to anything and not being picky about it either. Just really hard for those that are in our 50s as many places want younger people and the ones that are on welfare. I only receive food stamps and nothing else. I apply to be hotel maids, walmart, retail stores, babysitting, pet sitting etc.

[gala1]

03:06 AM on 08/04/2011

The figures quoted show how generalized statistics can only give you an inaccurate picture of how bad things really are.

In Lewis County Washington, reportedly half the population that is over 65 are on food stamps. Judging from what I've seen while wating at the supermarket checkout for the past several years, that is a very conservative estimate .

[yappnmutt]

01:14 AM on 08/04/2011

you mean the riot abatement program?

[MultiCultural7]

11:29 PM on 08/03/2011

It's so funny how we put the blame on one man when it took 1,000's to make the country the way it is today. One thing that will never change and that's how we blame one person for problems many took part in oneway or another by doing what they felt was right or by not doing nothing but watch others take part in what has happen.

[NonPrawf]

10:30 PM on 08/03/2011

36% of Alabama's population receives food stamps.

It's not socialism when it benefits you!

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/food-stamp-use-surges-most-years-alabama-foodstamp-recipients-double-may

[1reasonedtruth]

09:22 PM on 08/03/2011

Thanks to our food stamp president.

[MultiCultural7]

11:34 PM on 08/03/2011

Funny how you blame one man for the problems it took over nine years to make and a number of people to make the problem.

You blame one man but what about the others who had 8 years before the president came into office, what blame do you put on them if any???

[Bucket-Of-Love]

03:17 AM on 08/04/2011

What a stupid comment.

[BrandonRandon]

08:09 PM on 08/03/2011

How are so many people on food stamps when we are in a recovery. Didn't they get the message, the economy is booming.

[Montana 123]

12:04 PM on 08/04/2011

I know I didn't get the message or a job.

[InedaName]

02:41 PM on 08/03/2011

I find it interesting that fast food chains like McDonald's, Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco, Subway, and Weinerschnitzel accept EBT.

[frank day]

06:19 PM on 08/03/2011

I keep hearing that. What state do you live in.

It isn't true here in the Midwest.

Maybe you're confusing food stamps with other assistance???

[InedaName]

06:29 PM on 08/03/2011

I'm in California and I saw a rather large banner on the side of a Weinerschn­itzel just the other day that said, "We accept EBT". And I remember years ago in New York City seeing a printed sign with their logo on it in a McDonald's window saying they accepted food stamps.

[Karl Wilder]

06:39 PM on 08/03/2011

Certain states are partnering with some (unfortunately fast food) restaurants in order to get food to people who live in an SRO and have no kitchen and some seniors who can no longer fend for themselves. I wish there were better restaurant choices but at the moment it is largely junk food.

[MultiCultural7]

11:37 PM on 08/03/2011

It's not so funny when you think about how many of the people receiving Food Stamps are also Homeless and unable to cook for themselves or have anyone who could cood for them.

[InedaName]

12:04 AM on 08/04/2011

You raise a good point. I did not even consider the homeless people receiving EBT who have no place to store food or cook for themselves. In that case, fast food is better than no food I guess.

[Bucket-Of-Love]

03:12 AM on 08/04/2011

So, how many days will a month's worth of food stamps last when used to buy restaurant food? Maybe 5 days? One week, at best. What a poor solution.