The number of people in Snohomish County who rely on food stamps to help them or their families eat has increased nearly 27 percent in the past year, part of a statewide trend of increased demand.
In April 2009, 63,737 children and adults in Snohomish County were getting food through what is now called the supplemental nutritional assistance program. Twelve months later, that number had jumped to 80,794 — about 11 percent of the county’s population.
Statewide, numbers increased nearly 23 percent, climbing to 483,014 from 392,116 in the same 12-month period.
Spending on the federal program in Washington has grown to $117.8 million in April from $113.3 million in January, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services.
This year, recipients in Washington state got about $240 a month on average to spend on groceries. The exact amount they receive is based on household income.
The increase in demand hasn’t hit a plateau, although the rate of growth is slowing, said John Camp, an administrator for the state’s food assistance program.
At least part of the reason for the growth, he said, is that despite signs of an emerging economic recovery, “we have people who were receiving unemployment who are now having their benefits expire.”
The increase in local and state numbers also follows an easing of eligibility requirements in October 2008 because of unemployment and the recession.
That allowed a family of three to make up to $3,052 a month and still qualify for the program, Camp said.
The food program that once provided people with food stamps now issues a debit-type card that can be used to buy food at grocery stores and a growing number of farmers markets.
The cards can’t be used to buy food at restaurants or for hot, ready-to-eat items in grocery stores, Camp said.
The increase in numbers of people getting food stamps mirrors an increase in demand at local food banks, said Christin Froderberg, food bank director for Volunteers of America.
The coalition of 20 food banks in Snohomish County has seen the number of households asking for food between July and April over the past two years increase nearly 14 percent, to 31,559, she said.
The state has stepped up efforts to let people know that they’re eligible for the program, said Dana Libby, co-director of the Salvation Army’s Everett Corps.
Members of the Korean Women’s Association have come to the Salvation Army about once a week to help spread the word, he said.
“It’s such an art to put somebody at ease with a resource like that,” Libby said.
Many people coming to the organization’s food bank are first-time users who are embarrassed at having to ask for help, he said.
“The phrase I often hear is: ‘I never thought I would be here,’ ” Libby said.
There has been a similar stigma with the food stamp program, he said.
Having someone approach people individually has been far more effective than simply telling someone to go to a state Department of Social and Health Services office to apply, he said.
“A lot of people aren’t going to take that step if they’re uncomfortable with it,” Libby said. “If they can have someone who sits down with them and helps them fill out the form, it works.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com
To find out if you qualify for food aid and to get nutrition tips and recipes, go to www.foodhelp.wa.gov/ or call 877-501-2233.
Income limits
Maximum household income to apply for food stamps:
Household size: 1 Monthly income: $1,805
Household: 2 Income: $2,429
Household: 3 Income: $3,052
Household: 4 Income: $3,675
Household: 5 Income: $4,299
Source: Department of Social and Health Services
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