Food-stamp tally nears 40 million, sets record

[The Northerner]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nearly 40 million Americans received food stamps -- the latest in an ever-higher string of record enrollment that dates from December 2008 and the U.S. recession, according to a government update.

Food stamps are the primary federal anti-hunger program, helping poor people buy food. Enrollment is highest during times of economic distress. The jobless rate was 9.9 percent, the government said on Friday.

The Agriculture Department said 39.68 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, were enrolled for food stamps during February, an increase of 260,000 from January. USDA updated its figures on Wednesday.

"This is the highest share of the U.S. population on SNAP/food stamps," said the anti-hunger group Food Research and Action Center, using the new name for food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). "Research suggests that one in three eligible people are not receiving ... benefits."

Enrollment has set a record each month since reaching 31.78 million in December 2008. USDA estimates enrollment will average 40.5 million people this fiscal year, which ends Sept 30, at a cost of up to $59 billion. For fiscal 2011, average enrollment is forecast for 43.3 million people.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100507/ts_nm/us_food_usa_stamps

[OhioChick]

1. Rec. n/t

[glowing]

2. This is really, really bad.. Do you realize just how poor you really have to be

to even qualify for food stamps? Or the loopholes you must jump thru? Very bad numbers and a truer look at the real economy.

[proudohioan]

4. Very true look at the real economy....

I've been on foodstamps for the better part of 3 years now; all but that last 9 months of that I HAVE HAD A JOB!!!! It also goes to show how low wages have become.

[jxnmsdemguy65]

9. I've lost my extensions...

but I have way too much savings and assets to qualify for food stamps. Now I have to f*uck around with door to door sales bullshit in order try to afford to eat and pay some bills. This SUCKS!

[Iowa]

10. You nailed it...

My daughter has friends who are on food stamps. These are very bright, hard-working, talented young adults with college degrees. And some are actually working, like you. Jobs are almost impossible to find, and most of the jobs that are available don't pay a living wage. It's such an outrage when you consider the massive amounts of taxpayer dollars squandered on wars about nothing, bank bailouts, and corporate welfare. If those wasted resources were redirected to infrastructure and renewable energy jobs, many of these problems would disappear.

[lib2DaBone]

3. It's going to get reallly ugly in June...

When millions of people lose their unemployment benefits (thanks to Republicans dicking around with extentions).

[chill_wind]

12. We can thank Max Baucus (D), who says 99 weeks is sufficient.

Dems have NO PLANS.

“You can’t go on forever,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, of Montana, whose panel oversees the benefits program. “I think 99 weeks is sufficient,” he said.

“There’s just been no discussion to go beyond that,” said Senator Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat.

http://washingtonindependent.com/83673/dems-have-no-plans-to-extend-unemployment-benefits

[chill_wind]

13. They have to pass a War Supplemental

and then, they may still try to get to unemployment. The link with quotes I cited is a week old.

This just in from yesterday--


President Barack Obama has called on Congress to pass a $33 billion spending bill so he can implement a surge of approximately 30,000 troops in the fight against the Taliban.

The war spending bill comes on top of other major pieces of legislation congressional leaders hope to clear for the president's signature in coming weeks. The Senate is expected to work through next week on a financial regulation reform bill. Democrats also hope to clear extensions of expiring tax provisions, unemployment benefits and the Medicare physician payment rate before June.

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/96579-afghanistan-war-supplemental-bill-needs-to-be-passed-this-month-reid-says

[Donnachaidh]

5. So much for the economy is getting better linedancing

Or are all those newly created jobs at the level where you would have to sign up for foodstamps in order to survive?

[underpants]

6. ADM, Cargill, Con Agra, Corn Products Inc., Monsanto, etc. are da da da dada LOVIN' IT

Steve Wellman (left) thanks Jim Miller for the cooperative agreement ASA received for work in Afghanistan. (ASA photo by Bob Callanan)
http://www.soygrowers.com/

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. That's enough for all of Canada -

.
.
.

I expect all them multi-millionaire CEO's feel real bad about this

How's that "bail-out" workin' out anyhoo??

:freak:

[dbt]

8. And the US became a NET FOOD IMPORTER when?

2007? 2006? Memory fades in the face of the shame of such hunger.

[Elmore Furth]

11. It's nice to know trickle down economics is working so well

[Mari333]

14. the great depression Breadlines of today...