As a logical consequence of the prolonged economic downturn it appears that participation in the federal food stamp program is on the rise.In fact, household participation has been climbing so steadily that it has surpassed the last peak set as a result of the immediate fallout following hurricane Katrina.
The latest data released by the Department of Agriculture shows that, on a year-over-year basis, household participation has increased a whopping 17.11% while individual participation, as a ratio of the overall population, has increased 16.34%.
September’s numbers show a marked surge in program participation, likely resulting from the recent jump in total unemployment, driving the nominal benefit costs up 30.48% on a year-over-year basis to $3,365,077,075 for the month and $26,292,110,075 year to date.
Looking at the last chart that plots the total unemployment rate (unemployment rate of all traditionally unemployed workers plus all marginally attached and part time workers) and the population adjusted individual program participation rate normalized since 2005, one can plainly see that program participation would be expected to continue its surge into October and likely beyond.
