32.2 Million Americans on Food Stamps, 10 Percent of Population

A record 32.2 million Americans are receiving food stamp assistance. As the economy grows bleak, 10 percent of the U.S. population fall below the threshold.

For 10 percent of the U.S. population, food stamps are now a necessity to weather the deep worldwide recession. 32.2 million Americans are now receiving food stamp assistance, a record. Food stamp benefits average $100 per month per person, and the program is available to near-poverty income earners. Hurricane Katrina had produced an initial spike in food stamp recipients. "But recent rises in many states appear to be resulting mainly from the economic slowdown, officials and experts say, as well as inflation in prices of basic goods that leave more families feeling pinched. Citing expected growth in unemployment, the Congressional Budget Office this month projected a continued increase in the monthly number of recipients in the next fiscal year, starting Oct. 1 — to 28 million, up from 27.8 million in 2008, and 26.5 million in 2007," The New York Times reported. For 32.2 million Americans, the 16-month-old recession has pushed them to the brink. "A weakened economy means that many more individuals are turning to SNAP/Food Stamps," stated the anti-hunger group, Food Research and Action Center, in a Reuters story. U.S. unemployment hit 8.1 percent in February, the highest in 25 years. According to Reuters, "Food stamp benefits get a temporary 13 percent increase, beginning with this month, under the economic stimulus law signed by President Barack Obama. The increase equals $80 a month for a household of four." With so many Americans participating in food stamp program, the stimulus is certain to have an impact across a broad number of households.