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June 15, 2008

Number of food stamp applicants way up

'We're seeing mostly working families that can't make it anymore"

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH -- The rising cost of fuel and food has driven more people to the Food Stamp line throughout the North Country.

"We're seeing mostly working families that just can't make it anymore," Social Services Director Jay T. LePage said.

GROWING NEED

LePage said the county has seen a 37-percent increase in applications for Food Stamps over the past year.

In March, the number of people using Food Stamps surpassed 8,000 for the first time in history.

"People have to pay for gas; they are worried about heating their homes, paying for groceries .... People's budgets are strained," LePage said.

Last year at this time, Clinton County had about 7,400 people on Food Stamps, and now there are 8,200, LePage said.

In Franklin County, the number has increased by about 200 people, up to 4,932 in the last five months.

"We would like to see that number increase even more because people are going to need all the help they can get," Franklin County Social Services Commissioner Lesley Lyon, said.

"If you are eligible for Food Stamps, there is no reason why you shouldn't use them because if you can save $30 to $50 a week, you can use that for fuel to heat your home."

In Essex County, the number of Food Stamp recipients went up to 1,219 in May from 1,157 in May of 2007.

John O'Neill, Essex County Social Services commissioner, said he expects more people will look into the Food Stamp option as prices continue to hike.

"So many people are close to the edge now," he said.

I HAVE PRIDE'

The program is funded by federal dollars. About $10 million worth of Food Stamps will come into Clinton County alone this year.

"I think we are seeing people who may have needed help before but didn't want to come here, but now they have to," LePage said.

Raen Harvey, a single mom with a 13-year-old daughter, is among the newest group of Food Stamp recipients.

She tried for several years to make a go of it on her own.

She worked and attended college, but it got to the point about two months ago where it was not enough.

"I have pride, and it was hard for me to go on Food Stamps because I don't want to rely on the state for much," Harvey said.

And the $210 worth of Food Stamps per month that she gets is not buying as much as it did a few months ago.

"Plums are $2.99 a pound," she said. "How can they expect us to eat properly when all the healthy stuff is so expensive."

Harvey, 33, lives in Mooers and works in Plattsburgh. Her paycheck of $306 every two weeks from her part-time job gets eaten up by fuel costs.

She says she spends about $160 in gas every two weeks commuting to work.

When she buys food, she has to make difficult choices.

"I think of my child first, but the prices for everything are so crazy," she said.

AMOUNT MAY RISE

Lyon said the state is considering changing the amount of Food Stamp benefits allotted because of the increase in food prices.

"There is also a push to get more people on food stamps and to make applying for them easier."

If the number of food-stamp users continues to increase, it won't affect the county tax bill, LePage said, but it will mean more work for Social Services staff.

"The answer lies in the economy. The high gas prices affect everything."

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

FOOD STAMP FACTS
People who use Food Stamps can get help with certain purchases, but not with all their grocery items:
The program covers items for households to eat, such as breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat.
People can't use Food Stamps for beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco products; for any nonfood items, including pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, vitamins and medicines; food that will be eaten in the store; and hot foods.
To find out more about the Food Stamp program, check out www.myBenefits.ny.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture


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