Food Stamp Increase In Clark County
Saturday, May 17th, 2014 -- 7:23 AM
The use of food stamps in Clark County increased during the recession, assisting families in stretching their food dollars, contributing to local spending and helping spark a national debate about the future of the federal nutrition program.The proportion of Clark County residents receiving food stamps hit 10.7 percent in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services. That?s an increase of 6.4 percentage points since 2007, the year the recession started.
Clark County's food-stamp usage rate is lower than the state rate. Across Wisconsin, 14.5 percent of residents in 2011 received support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as the food stamp program is officially known. Nationally, 14.8 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits.
In 2011, residents of Clark County received a combined $4,512,603 in SNAP benefits. The USDA reports that each $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in spending.
SNAP benefits start to circulate in the economy quickly. Participants spend nearly all their food stamps within one month of receipt, according to a study by the University of New Hampshire Carsey Institute.
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