New USDA Data Give State-by-State SNAP/Food Stamp Participation Rates for 2008
Posted by Lamar Bailey on Friday, February 11, 2011
According to a recently-released report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), only 66 percent of eligible Americans participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2008. This leaves 34 percent not participating in the program and many of them are families with children. Further, 26 states are at or below the national participation rate. In some states over half of eligible people are not participating in the SNAP program. This means that families and children are missing opportunities to access food and they are at risk of hunger. We know that many of those that are eligible are working, but still they need a hand with accessing a steady supply of food. Having a steady supply of food will become very important in the coming year, because food prices are forecasted to increase by 3 percent.
Many people do not participate in SNAP because of stigma, language barriers, intimidating application process, or they do not know they are eligible. States and local communities are missing out on economic relief when eligible people do not participate in SNAP. According to the USDA, the average monthly SNAP benefit is approximately $275.00 per month; this is money that could be immediately spent in local communities. The USDA has calculated that every $5.00 dollars in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in local spending.
Share Our Strength is working to increase participation in SNAP in order to improve the economic security of working families and end childhood hunger. As the national No Kid Hungry campaign moves forward, increasing access to SNAP will continue to be an integral element. For example, the No Kid Hungry Arkansas campaign, launched by Governor Mike Beebe and Share Our Strength in October 2010, is planning an aggressive SNAP outreach effort. Of the 433,000 individuals served by food banks in Arkansas, only 28 percent are receiving SNAP benefits. The No Kid Hungry Arkansas campaign will train food banks, faith based groups, and volunteers to help these individuals access SNAP. The Arkansas No Kid Hungry Campaign is working to increase the number of households with children receiving SNAP by 5 percentage points. This will mean that nearly 80 percent of eligible Arkansas families will receive SNAP benefits by 2012. During this time of tight state and Federal budgets Share Our Strength will continue to support effective and innovative ideas that improve access to SNAP.
How to apply for SNAP in your state: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/outreach/map.htm
*Photo courtesy of: U.S. Department of Agriculture
February 11, 2011 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: food stamps, SNAP, statistics, USDA
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