Tuesday, November 09, 2010
West Virginians And Food Stamps
WEST VIRGINIA...
One in five West Virginians is receiving food stamps to help them put meals on their tables.
In August, the number of people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program help surpassed 345,000 -- or roughly 19 percent of the state's 1.8 million residents.
Part of the increase can be attributed to 2008 changes in the federal program that loosened restrictions on real estate and personal property assets.
Even without the changes, enrollment in the program had been increasing in West Virginia. Between federal fiscal years 2005 and 2008, the number of West Virginians receiving benefits went from 262,442 to 276,800.
But House of Delegates Health and Human Resources Chairman Don Perdue said recent numbers probably reflect the economic downturn, rather than changes in eligibility.
The Wayne County Democrat said unemployment probably had more to do with increased participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's program.
In August, unemployment in West Virginia was 8.8 percent. When the program changes were made, unemployment was below 4.5 percent.
The SNAP program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals and households to buy food. Eligibility is based on household size, income, assets and some household expenses. Nationwide, about 42 million people receive benefits.
The average monthly benefit per person in West Virginia is $111.25, compared to $133.90 nationally.
Since the program is administered by the federal government, Perdue said the state does not have a say in eligibility requirements.
One in five West Virginians is receiving food stamps to help them put meals on their tables.
In August, the number of people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program help surpassed 345,000 -- or roughly 19 percent of the state's 1.8 million residents.
Part of the increase can be attributed to 2008 changes in the federal program that loosened restrictions on real estate and personal property assets.
Even without the changes, enrollment in the program had been increasing in West Virginia. Between federal fiscal years 2005 and 2008, the number of West Virginians receiving benefits went from 262,442 to 276,800.
But House of Delegates Health and Human Resources Chairman Don Perdue said recent numbers probably reflect the economic downturn, rather than changes in eligibility.
The Wayne County Democrat said unemployment probably had more to do with increased participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's program.
In August, unemployment in West Virginia was 8.8 percent. When the program changes were made, unemployment was below 4.5 percent.
The SNAP program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals and households to buy food. Eligibility is based on household size, income, assets and some household expenses. Nationwide, about 42 million people receive benefits.
The average monthly benefit per person in West Virginia is $111.25, compared to $133.90 nationally.
Since the program is administered by the federal government, Perdue said the state does not have a say in eligibility requirements.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 10:51 AM 
