Food Stamps
What is it?
The federal food stamp program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), provides a safety net to millions of low-income individuals and families by helping them purchase healthy food. To qualify for assistance, a household must meet the Food Stamp Program's eligibility rules and poverty guidelines.
- As of December 2010, the average monthly benefit was approximately $133 per person and $285 per household.
Detailed information on SNAP can be found on the USDA’s website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm#1
Florida’s eligibility requirements can be found at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/foodstamps.shtml
Why is it important?
The ability to obtain sufficient food for an active, healthy life is the most basic of human needs. The mental and physical effects of inadequate food intake can have detrimental effects on learning, development, productivity and physical and mental health. The food stamp program is the Nation’s single most important intervention in the fight against hunger. The program provides a critical safety-net for low-income individuals and families by assisting them with purchasing food through normal channels.
The food stamp program is highly flexible and is second only to unemployment in its ability to respond quickly to economic changes. Less known is the fact that the food stamp program’s responsiveness classifies it as a "first responder" in natural emergencies at the local, state and national level.
Additional information about hunger in the United States can be found at the Food Research and Action Center: http://www.frac.org/
How are we doing?
U.S Food Stamp Recipients
In December 2010, 20.7 million U.S. households (44.1 million persons or 1 in every 6 households), received food stamps which represents an increase of 16% over the previous year.
- According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Surveys for 2007-09, 58% of families who received food stamps had children under 18 years of age. Of these families, approximately 58% were headed by single females.
Florida’s Food Stamp Recipients
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), 1.67 million households (approximately 3.1 million residents received food stamps in February 2011, a 24% increase over the previous year.
- Based on American Community Survey data for 2007-09, an estimated 52% of the Florida households receiving food stamps had children under 18 with 56% being headed by single females.
Additional information about Florida’s food stamp program can be found on the Florida Department of Children and Families website:http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/fsfactsheet.pdf
Pinellas County Food Stamp Recipients
The number of Pinellas County food stamp recipients increased to a new high of 79,871 households (133,315 residents) in February 2011, an increase of 23% from the previous year, with 1 in every 5 households receiving food stamps.
- Based on the 2007-09 American Community Surveys, 45% of the households who received food stamps had children under 18 and 61% of these households were headed by a single female.
Demographic Profile Snapshot - Pinellas County Food Stamp Recipients
In July 2010:
- 35% of Pinellas County’s food stamp recipients were children under the age of 18.
- 57% were white and 30% were black
- 11% were Hispanic
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Demographic Profile of Pinellas County Food Stamp Recipients |
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July 2010 |
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By Age Group |
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By Race |
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Age Group |
Number |
% of Total |
|
Race |
Number |
% of Total |
|
Under 5 |
15,016 |
12.4% |
White |
69,479 |
57.2% |
|
|
5-9 |
12,252 |
10.1% |
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Black |
36,847 |
30.3% |
|
10-14 |
10,316 |
8.5% |
|
All Other |
15,187 |
12.5% |
|
15-17 |
5,509 |
4.5% |
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Total |
121,513 |
100.0% |
|
Under 18 |
43,093 |
35.5% |
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|
|
|
|
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By Ethnicity |
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18 and over |
78,420 |
64.5% |
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Ethnicity |
Number |
% of Total |
|
|
|
Hispanic |
13,479 |
11.1% |
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|
Total |
121,513 |
100.0% |
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Non-Hispanic |
108,034 |
88.9% |
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|
|
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Total |
121,513 |
100.0% |
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Source: Florida Department of Children & Families |
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Pinellas County Food Stamp Recipients by ZIP Code
Based on data received from the Florida Department of Children & Families, Pinellas County ZIP codes with the highest number of food stamp recipients are 33705, 33711, 33712, 33713, 33755 and 33756. These same zip codes are also among those with the highest number and percentage of families in poverty (Number of Pinellas County Youth Under 18 Receiving Food Stamps by ZIP Code - 2010).
Long-Term Trends - Pinellas County and Florida
The chart below shows the long-term trends of Pinellas County and Florida households receiving food stamps. Clearly, the current recession, which officially started in December 2007 (official end date not yet declared), has affected a far greater number of households than the 2001 recession.
Read More About It:
Food Stamp Facts, Social Security Administration