The New York Times published an article on Sunday Nov. 29 “ Food Stamp Use Soars, and Stigma Fades ” as a part of their safety net series. The article looks at the stigma of being on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or more commonly known as Food Stamps. According to the article food stamps now feed one in eight Americans and one in four children nationally. Here in Portage County there has been a 35% increase in the number of families on food assistance in October 2009 compared to October 2008 (ODJFS Business Intelligence Channel).
I also wanted to highlight the interactive map. According to the interactive map in Portage County 9% of the population is on SNAP. 18% of children in the county are in families that receive assistance. Overall use of the program has risen 48% since 2007.
According to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, The amount of benefits the household gets is called an allotment. The net monthly income of the household is multiplied by .3, and the result is subtracted from the maximum allotment for the household size to find the household’s allotment. This is because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their resources on food.
(October 2009 through September 2010)
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $ 200 |
| 2 | $ 367 |
| 3 | $ 526 |
| 4 | $ 668 |
| 5 | $ 793 |
| 6 | $ 952 |
| 7 | $ 1,052 |
| 8 | $ 1,202 |
| Each additional person… | $ 150 |
| Benefit Computation | Example |
| Multiply net income by 30%… (Round up) Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum |
$1,154 net monthly income x .3 = $346.20 (round up to $347) $668 maximum allotment for 4 – $347 (30% of |
If a household applies after the first day of the month, benefits will be provided from the day the household applies.
SNAP benefits are available to all eligible households regardless of race, sex, religious creed, national origin, or political beliefs.
To see if you’re eligible for food stamps you can use an online screening tool
http://www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns/tool/interview/new_form_action.jsp
To contact the SNAP State Office in Ohio call 1-866-244-0071
The only place that can authorize SNAP benefits is the County Job and Family Services Office.
In Portage County there are food pantries available if you are in need of food.
Center of Hope/Christian Cupboard-serves daily hot lunches and offers groceries through a food pantry (330) 297-5454
Kent Social Services/Lord’s Pantry-serves daily hot meals, offers groceries through a food pantry and provides housing related emergency support services (330) 673-6963
