According to a report in a recent issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, almost half of the children in the United States will live in a house that receives food stamps. These children range in age from one to twenty years old with over a quarter of children receiving food stamps by the time they are five years old. It is disheartening that children across this nation are just one step away from becoming the faces on the television.

This can prove to be a hot topic as many people feel strongly one way or another as to whether or not people should receive public assistance. Most consumers are not against someone receiving a helping hand when facing tough times, however in many cases it is those who need the help the most that fall through the cracks. In order to qualify for food stamps, a family must meet certain requirements. These may include the size of the family, monthly income, expenses and disabilities. The system is not perfect and many times the wrong people receive benefits while those who are truly in need are overlooked.

Using the data collected in over 30 years of annual interviews, researchers conclude the following:

• Households that receive food stamps often do so more than one time. In most cases food stamps are used for short periods of time with just 19% of children living in a household that utilizes food stamps for three or more years in a row.

• Race, marital status and education do play a role in whether or not a household receives food stamps.

• Children raised in an impoverished environment are more likely to suffer from inadequate physical and mental health care. Sadly this often means children who grow up in poverty face an uphill battle to escape their childhood circumstances. Thus the cycle continues generation after generation.

This information is based on the data collected during the interviews previously mentioned. With more and more adults struggling to remain gainfully employed, the number of households that rely on food stamps to keep food on the table is likely going to increase. This affects everyone regardless of income bracket. Our children are our future and we need to make sure they are taken care of today to ensure they have the tools to lead us into tomorrow.

Food Stamps Provide Food For Half Of American Children was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

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.

Growing Number of Working Class Now Accepting Food Stamps was created by and is property of American Consumer News.