Growing Number of Working Class Now Accepting Food Stamps

September 8th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under • by tisha

What was once thought as a welfare-only program, the Food Stamp program is seeing a steady increase in working- foodstamps class citizens turning in applications for assistance in order to keep food in the home and dinner on the table.

Two years ago, an estimated 25% of income-earning families were receiving food stamp assistance. Now, in 2009, more than 40% of families with jobs are getting aid and the numbers are rising. As the unemployment rate also keeps rising, those who are still working have found that the economic changes in companies across the nation have been forcing workers to find supplemental help. Employers have had to cut back employee hours and many of the working families have been forced to accept part time work because full time jobs are harder to come by.

Debt Plays a Role

Consumer debt is also a huge factor that is plaguing American families. During the credit crisis, many credit card companies have increased interest rates and minimum monthly payments, leaving debtors with less cash left over each month to go toward food needs. Mortgages are also leaving consumers in a financial bind because of the increase of foreclosures and a families effort to avoid foreclosing on their family home.

With all of the consumer debts and financial obligations, consumers are turning to the federal government in order to eat. Congress added an additional amount of money to the food stamp program to ensure that food stamp recipients can receive assistance. The average program participant receives $300 a month is food stamp assistance.

High Demand Yields Law Suits

While it may have once been considered only a welfare program, consumers with families are recognizing that they need more help. This is leaving many states with a program that is hard to handle. In the state of Texas alone, more than 2.8 million citizens receive food stamp help. With some programs failing to be effective due to the high demand, class action suits are now being filed that accuse the state of violating federal rules where all food stamp applications need to be processed within a 30 day time period.

As many consumers have stopped using credit cards to buy groceries and have exhausted their options for personal loan, the food stamp programs across the nation will likely be inundated with new applications for help each day. Until the nation’s economy steadies and more full time work is found, the numbers will continue to rise.