Food stamp usage continues to climb
The latest data show that 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program in March 2011
This chart shows food stamp participation (red) and the unemployment rate (blue) since mid-2004. Food stamp usage has been steadily rising since 2008, even as the unemployment rate improves.
SoldAtTheTop
As a logical consequence of the prolonged economic downturn it appears that participation in the federal food stamp program is continuing to rise.
Skip to next paragraphWriter, The PaperEconomy Blog
'SoldAtTheTop' is not a pessimist by nature but a true skeptic and realist who prefers solid and sustained evidence of fundamental economic recovery to 'Goldilocks,' 'Green Shoots,' 'Mustard Seeds,' and wholesale speculation.
Recent posts
-
05.25.12
Home prices increase -
05.24.12
Unemployment claims drop -
05.23.12
Mortgage rates slide to record lows -
05.22.12
Existing home sales on the rise -
05.21.12
Chicago Fed: US economy improving
In fact, household participation has been climbing so steadily that it has far surpassed the last peak set as a result of the immediate fallout following hurricane Katrina.
The latest data released by the Department of Agriculture shows that in March, an additional 387,849 new recipients were added to the food stamps program, an increase of 11.13% on a year-over-year basis, while household participation increased 13.57%.
Individual participation as a ratio of the overall civilian non-institutional population has increased 10.28% over the same period.
Participation continues to increase with nominal benefit costs climbing a lofty 11.32% on a year-over-year basis to $5.98 billion for the month.
Add/view comments on this post.
--------------------------
The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best economy-related bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here. To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on the link above.
Follow Us