ALBANY — The number of New Yorkers on food stamps has soared to a record 3 million - an 11% jump from 2009 and a 65% increase in the past five years, the Daily News has learned.
Number of New Yorkers on Food Stamps Soars
ALBANY — The number of New Yorkers on food stamps has soared to a record 3 million – an 11% jump from 2009 and a 65% increase in the past five years, the Daily News has learned.
“We’ve been at an all-time high, and it keeps increasing,” said Anthony Farmer, a spokesman for the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which administers the federally funded program.
The majority of the state’s cases are in the city, with nearly 2 million people enrolled at the end of 2010, up from 1.6 million in 2009.
The soaring numbers come as no surprise to anti-hunger advocates, who say poor and working-class New Yorkers continue to be squeezed by the sour economy and high food prices.
“People aren’t finding work, and if they are finding work, they are getting less hours and less pay,” said Mark Dunlea, executive director of the Hunger Action Network.
Although food stamp benefits totaled more than $5.1 billion in the state last year – up from $4.3 billion the year before – Dunlea and other advocates say it isn’t enough to meet the demand.
The average monthly benefit for an individual is about $150, which often does not last the month, Dunlea said. Many are forced to supplement food stamps with visits to food banks.
“It helps out a little, but it is not enough,” said Patrick Mitchell, 38, of the Bronx, as he visited the food pantry at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. He gets only $78 a month in food stamps.
“Today, I have no food,” added Larry Thestrup, 65, of Manhattan, who gets $200 a month.
Doreen Wohl, director of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, believes the situation is even worse than the numbers indicate because of the city’s fingerprinting requirement, which discourages many from applying for food stamps.
“Finger imaging is something you do for criminals in this country,” Wohl said.
City officials defended the fingerprinting requirement as a necessary tool to prevent fraud.
Because the food stamp program is federally funded, it is not in danger from the state budget crunch. But advocates worry that the fiscal crisis will cut funding for other vital hunger programs.
“This community has always been in a crisis, and now we are in a much deeper crisis,” said Christy Robb, director of the food pantry at the Hour Children Community Outreach in Long Island City, Queens.
hard working dad
Sad how many people really need it and even sadder hopw i have friends who lie to get it cuz hey why not milk out as much as you cn from teh government. And they do great business all cash. Whta are we teaching our kids to steal??????? To thosse who need it hashem should bless you with parnassah beharchava and tothose who dont , WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO STEAL MY HARD EARNED MONEY. i have a neighbor who turned down a great job offer cuz then he cang get benfits. Hey, why should he go to work. BAD ATTITUDE>
mommy
How many of these people are Legit. Sadly in our jewish communitites its ok to say your divorced or etc to get these things.Too bad i get paid on the books. Tho i know after 120 im ok since i was honest.
daastorah
The Republicans say those on food stamps would be cut off and “get a job”. But there aren’t jobs. So, Republicans, just let them starve?
Tax payer
I don’t get them. I’m a hard working person in the neighborhood. I don’t live a fancy life. I put food on my table and pay my bills, although not easy. I pay tuition for my children. Not full tuition but a good percentage. I really have a tough time making ends meet but I will not lower myself to food stamps.
Does daastorah = lies, G-d forbid?
#3, kindly point to where “the Republicans say” any such thing in such sweeping terms. The eligibility guidelines need to be tightened up and carefully enforced, but everyone is well aware that there are people for whom there is (currently) no other option.
lloyd a cohen
let us not forget the extraordinary high taxes in the New York
there is even a tax on the service of slicing a bagel
Benefits
To #1
You said you have a friend who doesn’t want to get a job because he will lose his benefits. May I ask, why, in your opinion is he doing something wrong?
Let’s do some simple math. Remember, numbers don’t lie.
2 bedroom section 8 = $19,200/year
Medicaid for family = $15,000/year
Foodstamps for 4 person family: $9,000/year
WIC value: $1,200/year
Total: $44,400/year. Taxes: $0.00
Middle class job: $35,000/year. Taxes: $8,000. Net income: $27,000.
Can any normal family survive on $27,000 year? Why should he give up his benefits to earn LESS money and work harder?
chap arein
fools! hard working aheen,hard working aher.if u have a large family and u need it,grab it! learn from our neighbours in williamburg how to live a life! over a $1000. a month really helps out.i for one couldn’t live without it!nobody is stealing anything!