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| As economy declines,food stamp usage rises in county and region |
By: John Brannon Messenger Staff Reporter
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Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:10 pm
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| By JOHN BRANNON Messenger Staff Reporter An old adage — “It’s the economy” — explains a significant increase in food stamp benefits in Obion County and elsewhere in a recent six-month period. Between July 1-Dec. 31, 2008, in Obion County, the number of food stamp recipients increased by about 500. And the taxpayer cost to provide the benefits increased about $117,000. According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, the economy “drives” the increases. “When we see the economy take a turn for the worse, our numbers go up. That’s exactly what we’re seeing right now and pretty much since the beginning of (2008),” said DHS director of communications Michelle Mowery-Johnson. In November 2008, DHS issued $112 million — an all-time high — in food stamps statewide. In December 2008, the figures climbed to $117 million. Some specific numbers gleaned from the DHS Web site are published below. In order of appearance, the figures signify: 1) Number of individuals receiving food stamps; 2) Number of households; 3) Cost to taxpayers. • December 2001 Obion County: 2,843 individuals; 1,385 households; $202,100. Lake County: 1,235; 618; $89,576. Weakley County: 3,292; 1,472; $239,849. Statewide: 569,816; 245,018; $43,792,808. • July 2008 Obion County: 5,451; 2,558; $522,499. Lake County: 1,901; 988; $185,192. Weakley County: 5,385; 2,585; $526,175. Statewide: 936,231; 422,357; $96,535,979. • December 2008 Obion County: 5,964; 2,780; $639,678. Lake County: 1,939; 1,023; $215,312. Weakley County: 5,918; 2,864; $645,089. Statewide: 1,019,917; 465,000; $117,372,726. Ms. Mowery-Johnson said these are dollars that are going right back into the local community. “I think The Union City Daily Messenger may want to interview a local grocer or two and ask them about the food stamp program and how important it is to their customers and their business,” she said. EBT Food stamps and other benefits to low-income people and families are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Funds are channeled through the 50 states for distribution. For years, benefits — meaning money for sustenance — were disbursed in the form of specially-printed stamps. The stamps have been replaced with what is known as an EBT card — electronic benefits transfer — similar to a credit card. A participant receives an EBT card implanted with codes reflecting name, address and account number. It can be taken to a retail outlet and scanned just like a credit card to pay for food purchases. Name change In October 2008, USDA announced some changes. The Food Stamp Act of 1977 was renamed the Food and Nutritional Act of 2008, and the food stamp program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “We’re going to keep calling it the food stamp program for the time being until USDA starts its push (to advertise SNAP). We’ll follow right along,” said Ms. Mowery-Johnson. Outreach Although the word “outreach” connotes an activity promoted by a ministry, Tennessee’s DHS applies the word to its efforts to spread the word about various services available. “We do a lot of outreach and we have been recognized by USDA for the outreach efforts that we do,” Ms. Mowery-Johnson said. “Case workers in urban areas go out and about in community centers and senior citizen centers to let people know they might potentially be eligible. They’ll go into a community and sign people up for the programs. “We reach roughly 91 percent of the eligible population in Tennessee. We are third in the nation (in reaching those eligible for benefits).” Published in The Messenger 1.22.09 |
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