The number of Floridians on food stamps has dipped slightly over the past year, but Department of Children and Families workers are still seeing a load of about 57,000 cases per month.
In September 2009, the caseload stood at 58,646. The number is now at 57,742.
Exactly how many people are represented by that caseload wasn’t clear, but in August 2010, there were more than 2.8 million people receiving benefits.
“While some economic indicators are improving, thus far it has been a ‘jobless recovery’ and the unemployment data is not yet showing a decline,” said Jennifer Large, the director of Access Florida, a division of DCF that provides financial assistance to Florida families. “Once the employment outlook improves, we can expect to see fewer people receiving food assistance benefits.”
Florida’s unemployment rate was 11.7 percent in August, with some counties even higher. Hendry County in south-central Florida had an August unemployment rate of 20.6 percent, followed by Flagler County at 16.4 percent and Indian River at 16.2 percent.
The state numbers for food stamps have fluctuated slightly over the last 12 months, with the high of 61,096 cases in December 2009 and a low of 56,358 cases in May.
National figures aren’t available for the increase over the last year, but the number jumped significantly last year and is expected to again.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the total number of people on food stamps nationwide in September 2008 was about 31.6 million. A year later, the number had jumped to 37.1 million.
Currently, the maximum allotment for a four-person family in the 48 states and Washington D.C. is $688, but that number could change with legislation under consideration in Congress.
In August, the U.S. Senate approved a child nutrition measure that divided members because it is also likely to cut into the money used to fund the food stamp program. According to the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group that lobbies on hunger and nutrition issues, the measure could result in a $2 billion reduction to the program. Several groups are lobbying House members to amend the bill so that it does not impact the food stamp program.
For a family of four, that could translate to a cut of about $59 per month, the center said.
The food stamp caseloads also are not expected to largely change over the next few years. State economists estimated that by Fiscal Year 2014, the caseload could decrease to 54,817.
Large said it is possible that even when some families do go back to work, they may remain on food stamps.
“Though some who would never have sought help before the recession, may have been eligible previously without knowing it,” she said. “They may return to work and continue to receive benefits, albeit at a lower level, because they are now familiar with the program and the help it can provide.”
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service of Florida
