DHR: Don't Fear Applying for Food Stamps

Officials from the Georgia Department of Human Resources say if you're out of work and receiving extended unemployment insurance thanks to federal stimulus dollars, don't be afraid to apply for food stamps.

The comments come after a newspaper report of a Marietta man who could not get food stamps because he got an extra $25 week for unemployment.

Dina Smith is a spokesperson for the Department of Human Resources. She says the man was never eligible for food stamps in the first place, because he earned too much.

"He came with the additional money already in tow, which is not the way that story sounds but I'm telling you that's the bottom line and truth. When he came, he was already getting the additional money, and he was not eligible."

Food stamp eligibility guidelines -- including income amounts -- are set by federal law. And, recipients of unemployment insurance cannot refuse the extra money provided by stimulus monies.

Food stamp requests grow

It's not just the auto industry that needs a bailout, so do a lot more Georgia families. Demand for food stamps is up dramatically. Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services says it had nearly a half-million food stamp cases in October. That's up18 percent from last year. The number of Georgians on food stamps has nearly doubled since 2000. Officials say they're seeing more working-class people, including factory workers and office workers, collecting food stamps for the first time.

(Associated Press)

Farm bill heads to President

A farm bill co-authored by Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss is on its way to the President's desk – even though Mr. Bush has threatened to veto it. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 today. The measure strengthens assistance for food banks, increases the standard deduction for food stamps, expands a program that provides free, fresh fruits and vegetables to low–income school children, and expands a program that helps low-income seniors buy agricultural products from local farmers markets and roadside stands. The President has said the measure is too expensive and gives too much money to wealthy farmers.

Food Stamp Applications Up

There is a “large increase" in Food Stamp applications, according to Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services. Ten thousand more people have applied, resulting in an 4.3 % increase compared to this time last year.

Officials aren’t sure if it’s escalating food prices or increased unemployment fueling the demand. Last year, enrollment in the program declined by about a thousand people.

Nationwide, a similar trend is occurring, with the US department of Agriculture reporting 28 million Americans enrolled in the program. In Georgia, about one in ten residents are on food stamps. The average benefit is just over two hundred thirty dollars.