Food stamps top 34 Mil for 1st time

[anna2009]

For the first time, more than 34 million Americans received food stamps in May, the government said on Thursday, another symptom of the longest and one of the deepest recessions since the Great Depression.

Enrollment surged by 2 percent to reach a record 34.4 million people, or one in nine Americans, in the latest month for which figures are available.

It was the sixth month in a row that enrollment set a record. Every state recorded a gain, and Florida had the largest increase at 4.2 percent.

Enrollment for food stamps, which help people buy groceries, is highest during times of economic stress. The U.S. unemployment rate of 9.5 percent is the highest in 26 years.

"Food stamp enrollment is rising because the economy is having a devastating impact on low-income families and they need this program to eat," said Stacy Dean of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. "Every single state has been affected."

The average benefit in May was $133.65 per person. The economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year included a temporary increase in food stamp benefits of $80 a month for a family of four.

The federal stimulus legislation will block a potential $5 a month decline in benefits in fiscal 2010 which would have been triggered by moderating food prices, the Agriculture Department said.

[Slickwilly]

For the first time, more than 34 million Americans received food stamps in May, the government said on Thursday, another symptom of the longest and one of the deepest recessions since the Great Depression.

Enrollment surged by 2 percent to reach a record 34.4 million people, or one in nine Americans, in the latest month for which figures are available.

It was the sixth month in a row that enrollment set a record. Every state recorded a gain, and Florida had the largest increase at 4.2 percent.

Enrollment for food stamps, which help people buy groceries, is highest during times of economic stress. The U.S. unemployment rate of 9.5 percent is the highest in 26 years.

"Food stamp enrollment is rising because the economy is having a devastating impact on low-income families and they need this program to eat," said Stacy Dean of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. "Every single state has been affected."

The average benefit in May was $133.65 per person. The economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year included a temporary increase in food stamp benefits of $80 a month for a family of four.

The federal stimulus legislation will block a potential $5 a month decline in benefits in fiscal 2010 which would have been triggered by moderating food prices, the Agriculture Department said.

And if you think it will get better anytime soon you are sorely mistaken!! As long as unemployment is on the rise the economy is just going to get worse. Even a temperaly imporvement might not help. We need sustained improvement in unemployment to really turn this boat around. How are Americians going to buy any goods if they can bearly afford food. With Food Stamp usage on the rise, obviously we can't afford food.

SW

[Thurax]

I can't see the depression ending any time soon really, the current economic climate will just not let it happen yet.

If you look at The Great Depression, it took over a decade to get back to some economic stability through the New Deals, but also many historians would consider that WWII had a great effect in stabilising the economy. Obviously, it is not as serious now, but we cannot expect this depression/recession.

[Slickwilly]

I can't see the depression ending any time soon really, the current economic climate will just not let it happen yet.

If you look at The Great Depression, it took over a decade to get back to some economic stability through the New Deals, but also many historians would consider that WWII had a great effect in stabilising the economy. Obviously, it is not as serious now, but we cannot expect this depression/recession.

I agree, the Obama Administration thinks they can walk in and change EVERYTHING and suddenly it will be better. It's not going to happen. we are now just starting to realize the economy is in a nose dive. Sure Unemployment is better we only LOST about 250k jobs last month, BUT we are still losing jobs, the Unemployment rate still went up. I think we haven't even leveled off at the bottom yet, and still have a little ways to go. Once we find the bottom we are going to waffle around for a few quarters, slightly up, then slightly down, until we find an equilibrium. And with all the new Stimulus programs going on, finding an equilibrium may take some time. I still think we are 2+ years off from a real improvement in the economy.

SW