Food stamps application and increase in scope possible with the Obama administration’s food stamp stimulus funding. States are now implementing new measures and guidelines.
State governments are now launching multi-billion-dollar boosts in their food stamp programs, and with every dollar spent on food stamps bringing in about $1.73 to the local economy, the stimulus brought about by food stamps is more likely to breathe much-needed life back into local markets.
What’s been done – Increase in food stamp benefits
In April, 32.5 million low-income individuals received their first monthly bonus – 13.6% more or about $20 more for each person.
With $20 billion allotted through the stimulus plan, each food stamp recipient will get more buying power. At the same time, the number of food stamp applications approved will not be affected. Understandably, this puts tremendous pressure on existing systems, but each state is rising up and meeting the challenge in their own way. Streamlining the food stamp process, from application to distribution has been the general trend.
In Ohio, the food stamp rolls have hit nearly 1.3 million for the year. Democratic Governor Ted Strickland has led a community program that aims to make sure that every eligible applicant in the state will able to apply for food stamps quickly, and to other social assistance programs as well. Utah has upgraded its whole system, allowing low-income workers to apply without excessive paperwork. In Washington State, an online application system cuts down on administrative costs and delays.
For other states, it’s also about making sure that the program is continued by recipients. Tennessee caseworkers comb through housing projects and community centers to sign people up. Michigan food stamp employees set up in facilities for the elderly, and in Nevada, there are stands in grocery stores where you can find out if you qualify.
More to do for SNAP program
In spite of all this, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - or SNAP, as the food stamp program is now called, is still in the process of meeting the 100% recipient distribution mark. This is given that last year, SNAP already provided 28 million people with $36 billion worth of food assistance.
As of 2004 (the latest year for available data), only 60% of eligible people in the country was able to receive food stamps. Some states have had more success, with more than 80% for Missouri, Tennessee and Oregon. However, these figures are balanced by the other side: California, Wyoming and Massachusetts only had a 50% success rate.
