Food Stamp Enrollment At Lowest Since 2011
It’s the first time the numbers dipped below $46 million since 2011.
In February, 45.6 million Americans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program. That’s the lowest monthly enrollment figure since 45.8 million received benefits in August 2011.
“SNAP is designed to be responsive to the economy, and this downward trend is an encouraging sign that the economic recovery is reaching struggling families,” Kevin Concannon, USDA undersecretary for nutrition, said in an emailed statement. “The best way to reduce spending in the program is to continue improving the economy, connect recipients with job training and job placement assistance, and raise the minimum wage so working families can afford to make ends meet.”
The number of Americans receiving benefits shot up from 27 million in 2007 to 47 million in 2012 thanks largely to a bad economy making more people eligible for the program. Another reason for the enrollment surge was states signing up a greater percentage of the eligible population.
Enrollment has been slowly declining since 2013 as the economy improves, thereby making fewer Americans poor enough to qualify for benefits.
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6 responses to Food Stamp Enrollment At Lowest Since 2011
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Carla Akins May 18th, 2015 at 08:12
Because qualifying requires complete destitution, this isn’t a good thing – it’s an indictment on how we as a nation treat those that need a helping hand.
Suzanne McFly May 18th, 2015 at 08:23
That is what I was just thinking as I read the story. Didn’t the republicans make it harder to get on the SNAP program. Sad thing is, they will make it seem like they helped to lower those who need assistance. However, they did nothing because they won’t support an increase in the minimum wage and they won’t sign a jobs bill. They are just taking advantage on a group who do not have a voice because we all know, to have a voice you have to pay some slimy politician or lobbyist.
Progressive Republican May 19th, 2015 at 01:02
They not only made it harder, but reduced benefits as well.
Money talks. We know what walks.
oldfart May 18th, 2015 at 08:47
I’ll wager that food banks in this country would tell a very different story.
Jack E Raynbeau May 18th, 2015 at 13:05
Abortion! Umm, Benghazi!
frambley1 May 19th, 2015 at 01:50
Judging from the intro in comparison to the body of this article, food stamp recipients each receive $1. Its like a repub’s fantasy. Give ’em a dollar, that’ll shut ’em up.