Food Stamp Usage on the Rise
Food Stamp Usage on the Rise Save Email Print
Posted: 12:05 AM Mar 31, 2008
Last Updated: 12:10 AM Mar 31, 2008
Reporter: Melanie Chapman
Email Address: melanie.chapman@wsaz.com

A | A | A

With the rising price of gas, food and utilities many people across the area are turning to food stamps to make ends meet.

It's an economic trend that has Ohioans turning to the government for help. State workers are seeing record high numbers from folks experiencing all time lows.

Folks in Ohio aren't the only ones dealing the crunch. 11.2 million people live in Ohio and right now 10% of the population uses food stamps!

Kentucky's population is around 4 million and out of those almost 16% use food stamps.

In West Virginia 273,000 out of 1.8 million people or15% of the population are relying on food stamps to get the food they need.

More Stories
BREAKING NEWS: No Survivors in Wayne County Plane Crash, Crews Say

A Thousand Byrds

July 4th TEA Party

A Different Type of Strip Mining Protest

Double Header at Appalachian Power Park Sunday, Followed by Fireworks

Charleston Fireworks Earlier than Scheduled

Worm Wiggles Way Out of Faucet

Elderly Woman Dies After Car Crash

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: philander on Jul 2, 2009 at 05:45 PM
yes i would like to know how to get food stamps im on ssdi

Posted by: Virginia Figueroa on Sep 22, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Im on ssi and im wondering where to go to sign up for the ebt card? i recently moved from chicago, to make Louisville my home, with in a week of moving here, i recieved my medical card.... i need to know where i can apply.

Posted by: Me on Apr 1, 2008 at 05:25 PM
It's funny how people are starting to judge, guess what? Nobody wants to hear you crying if something God forbids happen to something or someone in your family to where you need help!!! Guess what nothing is forever!! So keep running up your credit, for the ones who think they are better than everyone else, but guess what? Another deppression is just around the corner!

Posted by: Branson on Apr 1, 2008 at 05:22 PM
it is really sad of you people to stereotype and get so defensive of where your money goes, when we are paying billions of dollars for this endless war of nothing, only getting our children killed!

Posted by: To Kon and Everyone else on Apr 1, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Well, let me start by saying that you are stereotyping, which is what typical people do...People with that kind of attitude is what is killing America...You know, yes a lot of people do abuse the system, but there are also people out there who need it, if more people started helping other people in today's time, guess what?? More people wouldn't need welfare...Also, there is something called life! I've known a couple of families who had to go on welfare, not because they were to lazy, it was because one of the parents of three children with a wonderful job, ended up having cancer, and guess what the doctor's bills aren't cheap!! There are many different stories similar, but there are also people who doesn't need it....If you want to gripe about something, gripe about how great the prisoners and jailers have it! Guess what? Our taxes pay for the jails, they get to watch tv, workout, get free meals!!!! If people don't like it, either go back to your country or find one to live at!

Posted by: anonymous on Apr 1, 2008 at 02:02 PM
It's called the 2nd currency in the tri-state.

Posted by: The system on Apr 1, 2008 at 01:29 PM
u have to know how to work the system and if u have never used it u dont know how to work it many people in meigs county are born to welfare or have family members who work there who set them up i know people who work making good money $40000 a year with insurance and they get a medical card to cover their co pay live in a house owned by a realative for nothing except what hud pays to the realative who works at welfare dept know these other people living in hud approved home that belongs to the womans boyfriends dad and after he gets what he wanted for it they will own it and hud paid for it and the boyfriend earns over $25 an hour and owns a business so where is the justice in this it is corrupt most of the grub stubs in this county buys drugs or other non-food items know folks who have bought cars and land with them also but if u report it they can never find any proof its gotten so bad people refuse work because it will cause their rent to go up and benefits to go down

Posted by: not buyin it on Apr 1, 2008 at 01:02 PM
To the couple with the baby: If you are so bad off you need food stamps try getting rid of you internet access that is the first thing I would do. That is not a need it is a luxury. Also try getting better jobs they are out there you just have to try.

Posted by: dave on Apr 1, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Welfare is a joke. The people who really need it to get by, who just need that little push to help them out get ignored. Meanwhile, Joe-Blo Meth head who never even thought about trying to find a job and better him/herself gets everything he wants for years. I've seen it. No matter how poor I get, how much help I need, I'll never ask my government for a dime. I'm not related to anybody at the welfare office, so I couldn't qualify anyways. What do they expect anyways? gas prices will end up at $4 soon. Prices for everything go up faster than minimum wage. Everybody's getting poorer except the rich. What ever happened to the American dream? Oh yeah.. That's right. All the illegal mexicans are living it.......

Posted by: Don on Apr 1, 2008 at 12:50 PM
In relation to the story on food stamp useage, I had the Montana DPHHS do a survey in Billings, MT that showed 12 of the 96 food stamp applicants said auto insurance was a reason for applying for food stamps (that is 30,000 over the last 20 years in Montana) http://www.foodstampstudy.com (Hank Hudson is incorrect, Allen Nichols is correct). Dr Maril did a study that showed 44% said they could not buy food due to mand auto insurance http://www.autoreform.org/090998mar.pdf The insurance industry is opposed to mandatory auto insurance http://www.centspermilenow.org/715oppos.htm I think they should change the way accident damage is reimbursed and get people off food stamps who are on food stamps because they cannot afford the insurance or fines.

Posted by: K on Apr 1, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Get an education and get a better job. I am sick of paying for people to eat that are too lazy to get an education or get a better job.. everyone is born with the same chances....

Posted by: theCouplew/thaBaby on Mar 31, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Mr. Welfare worker called my wife back ahead of 3 or 4 other people and told me "don't even get up from the waiting room, this will only take a second" Without even seeing our application, he took my wife to the back and asked for our pay stubs(my wife makes $2.13/hr as a waitress and I make $6.60/hr) and we didn't qualify:^( Oh well, guess we'll go back to the old way of gettin' em; Buying them off the non-tax payers for half price so they can go buy their dope;*)

Posted by: ohio resident on Mar 31, 2008 at 07:26 PM
the welfare office is a big joke they will lie to people they would not even help my husband with gas to get to his new job because i go to school full time and have a house phone which is a requirement that i need for school and he needs for work where are they putting the funds in their pockets or their own family the caseworkers draw foodstamps medical cards plus a real nice paycheck of 15 to 22 dollars an hour plus benefits whats wrong with the picture these people are robbing the american people that needs help

Posted by: Des on Mar 31, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I think that welfare fraud should be taken care of here in Lawrence County, Ohio. I have neighbor's who take advantage of the system. At one time there were fifteen people who lived in a one 3 bedroom house. All were receiving some sort of assistance. Food stamps, SSI, Social Security and a welfare check. Who's job is it to follow up on reports? At what point does the government of Ohio decide when to cut off assistance? I've lived by these people for 8 years now. All 8 years has been like this. I myself have a child and receive no type of assistance but these fraudulent people can rape the system. It's just not fair to the working people. I think it's high time that things starting getting cleaned up in Lawrence County. Then maybe, just maybe, there would be enough money in the budgets to pay for the things we really need. It's time to buck up and get things right.

Posted by: Beth on Mar 31, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I get medical assistance for my daughters and when I went there, there were people dressed in name brand clothes, expensive jewerly, nice shoes, etc. The parking lot was full of nice cars. So I dont believe either that those people were singled out. Maybe they got help and are lying to you, and did not want you to know because they are too ashamed. Just my opinion.

Posted by: FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER on Mar 31, 2008 at 01:32 PM
FOR ONE..I DO NOT BELEIVE THAT A WORKER WOULD CALL SOMEONE TO THE BEGINNIG OF THE LINE AND POINT OUT THAT THEY WERE DRESSED TOO WELL TO RECIEVE..MANY OF MY CLIENTS ARE VERY DISTINGUISHED AND DRESS WELL..THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION. ALSO IN KY IF THIS OCCURED THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE NEEDS TO BE CONTACTED..CAR INSURANCE DOES NOT COUNT..ONLY RENT/MORTGAGE/ RESP FOR HEAT/COOL OR PHONE DED ARE GIVEN..IT IS VERY LIMITED TO AS WHAT DED. CAN BE GIVEN TO A HOUSEHOLD.

Posted by: anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The last time I heard, you had to have a certain income level to qualify for food stamps and gas prices had nothing to do with it. This story doesn't make sense. I'm a single mom of two kids and I get no help from anyone not even their dad.

Posted by: Neighbor on Mar 31, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Their is no help here for the working poor in WV.. I have a young couple that lives beside me. They had a newborn babby reciently, they both work jobs that pays minium wages. I seen this young lady get a 1000 dollar auto insurance bill for six months. They have got to keep a car on the road to get to work. They didn't want to ask for food stamps, but when they went to the welfare office they were called ahead in front of the others waiting. It was told to them you don't qualify we can see by the way you are dressed and the way you take care of your babby you are waisting your time here. A couple working Paying personal property taxes and everything else don't qualify. You got to quit work get rid of your car or at least the insurance and get on dope to qualify I guess ? !

Posted by: LAWRENCE on Mar 31, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I LIVE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY WORK EVERY DAY TAKING CARE OFF GR.KIDS THAT LIVE WITH ME .AND MY HUSBAND .SO THATS TWO INCOMES ,STILL HAVING IT HARD .CAN WE GET FOOD STAMPS FOR OUR GR.KIDS THEY EAT ALOT.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 31, 2008 at 12:11 AM
where can i sign up? oh yea, i work and do not have kids...so im sure i make too much money

National Headlines - MSNBC.com
  • NYT: Leading clerics defiant on Iran election
    The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday.
  • Earn our trust or go, Afghans tell GIs

    July 2: A major new offensive in Afghanistan is aimed at a key Taliban stronghold and heroin trafficking center. NBC's Chief Pentagon Correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reports.  (Nightly News)U.S. forces who have moved deep into formerly Taliban-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan this week meet locals who tell them that they won't be won over easily.


  • U.S. misread scale of Honduran rift

    Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, left, is welcomed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after his arrival in Nicaragua on Monday. Although the U.S. government knew for months that Honduras was on the brink of chaos, officials say they underestimated how fearful some were of president Zelaya and his ally Hugo Chávez.


  • Weary Palin seeks to regain control

    July 4: In a hastily arranged news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced she will formally resign from office at the end of the month. NBC’s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd discuss the possible reasons for the lawmaker’s move.  (Today Show)Why did Sarah Palin step down?  Some of the people close to the Alaska governor say she wanted to regain control of a script that slipped out of her hands when she burst onto the national stage.


  • Ex-QB McNair, reported girlfriend found dead

    Police were working Sunday to unravel the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and his friend, a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium.


  • Zelaya returning to Honduras

    A police officer receives the baggage of a passenger outside Toncontin International Aiport in Tegucigalpa on Sunday, after flights were cancelled.Exiled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced his imminent departure for home to reclaim his post even though the interim government of Honduras is vowing to prevent his plane from landing.


  • One trip, three different agendas for Obama

    President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, will take a weeklong trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana beginning Sunday night. President Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to the G-8 that the U.S. is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa.


  • Russia to U.S.: Compromise on missile defense

    Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the presidential residence Barvikha outside Moscow on Sunday.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published Sunday that the U.S. must compromise on plans for a European missile defense shield to get a deal on cutting nuclear warheads.


SearchKOW Business of the Day
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
Healthy Tri-State
Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Moms4Moms
By moms, for moms
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs