Food Stamp Recipients Rising, Middle Class Hit, Too

Summary

---

"With skyrocketing food prices adding to the burden of rising rents, gas prices, and other costs, hard working New Yorkers are forced to stretch their dollar further," said [Christine Quinn]. "The food stamp data match initiative has allowed us to identify over 600,000 households that may be eligible for food stamps but don't receive them, and will enable us to target our outreach to specific areas and neighborhoods in need. The food stamp data match initiative is a simple and cost effective way to use technology to bring much needed food support to low-income New Yorkera."

The HRA reports that of the 635,819 households that qualify for food stamps Brooklyn has the most qualified households with 211,801. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the Food Stamp Program served 25.7 million people in 2005, costing the nation $28.6 billion. Thirty-six percent of food stamp recipients are Black while whites make up 41 percent of food stamp recipients.

The problem has gotten so serious that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn launched an initiative in June along with Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs to reach out to 600,000 families who may qualify for food stamps that are current recipients of Medicaid.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Food Stamp Recipients Rising, Middle Class Hit, Too

As the economy begins to slump lower and lower with no signs of letting up, people are searching for ways to stretch their household dollar anyway they can. Basic necessities -...

See the full content of this document

---