What is SNAP/Food Assistance?
The Food Stamp Act of 1964 created the federally-funded nutrition program which quickly became known as “food stamps” because they were distributed through paper denominational stamps or coupons.
This program, which is managed by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), assists qualified low income people living in the United States to purchase food and food-related products. Since 2004, SNAP benefits have been distributed to recipients in all fifty states through a specialized debit card system known as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).
Kansas uses the term Food Assistance for SNAP/food stamps.
Who receives SNAP/Food Assistance in Kansas?
In May 2011, one in ten people in Kansas were receiving Food Assistance benefits; that’s more than 300,000 people, and the number is growing each month, fueled by the weak economy and high unemployment rate. The number of persons receiving Food Assistance has increased by almost 25% for each of the past two years.
The average amount of monthly Food Assistance per recipient in May 2011 was $128.82. In Fiscal Year 2010 (July 2009-June 2010), Kansas Food Assistance totaled $383 million. FY2011 to-date funding for the program has surpassed $404 million.
SNAP serves not only the working poor, but also people temporarily unemployed, the elderly and those with disabilities.
How many people in my county receive Food Assistance?
Using Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Food Assistance data for FY2010, the Kansas Rural Center has developed an Excel workbook profiling each county. Information includes: # of persons receiving Food Assistance, $ expended on Food Assistance, and % of residents receiving Food Assistance. Download the Excel.
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