Perilous Times
40 million Americans now on food stamps and handouts
Reuters
Fri May 7, 1:28 pm ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nearly 40 million Americans received food stamps
-- the latest in an ever-higher string of record enrollment that dates
from December 2008 and the U.S. recession, according to a government
update.
Food stamps are the primary federal anti-hunger program, helping poor
people buy food. Enrollment is highest during times of economic
distress. The jobless rate was 9.9 percent, the government said on
Friday.
The Agriculture Department said 39.68 million people, or 1 in 8
Americans, were enrolled for food stamps during February, an increase
of 260,000 from January. USDA updated its figures on Wednesday.
"This is the highest share of the U.S. population on SNAP/food stamps,"
said the anti-hunger group Food Research and Action Center, using the
new name for food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). "Research suggests that one in three eligible people are not
receiving ... benefits."
Enrollment has set a record each month since reaching 31.78 million in
December 2008. USDA estimates enrollment will average 40.5 million
people this fiscal year, which ends Sept 30, at a cost of up to $59
billion. For fiscal 2011, average enrollment is forecast for 43.3
million people.
(Reporting by Charles Abbott; Editing by John Picinich)