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Index: Economy / Subcategory: Individual

Food Stamps

Date posted: 03/01/2009

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The Food Stamp Program is a nationally available benefit of the United States Department of Agriculture. It is designed to help individuals and families meet a portion of their food costs. Eligibility is based on both income and resource tests that are set by the federal government. Residents who do not qualify for monthly cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF) may still be eligible for Food Stamp benefits.

As of Oct. 1, 2008, the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new name reflects the changes made to meet the needs of clients, including a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts. Colorado's food stamp program is administered by the Department of Human Services and is called Colorado Food Assistance Program.

What this chart shows: Food Stamp Applications Received in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Food Stamp Applications Received in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Data Source: Larimer County Department of Human Services

See data table

What these data tell us:

 The number of food stamp applications in Larimer County increased significantly (62%) in the last half of 2008, probably reflecting increases in unemployment resulting from the recession's impact on housing, retail and other employers in Larimer County.

What this chart shows: Number of Cases (Households) Receiving Food Stamps in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Number of Cases (Households) Receiving Food Stamps in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Data Source: Larimer County Department of Human Services

See data table

What these data tell us:

 The number of households receiving food stamps (defined as a distinct group of people who eat together) increased nearly 11% in the last half of 2008.

What this chart shows: Average Monthly Food Stamp Benefit for the United States, Colorado, & Larimer County, 2008

Average Monthly Food Stamp Benefit for the United States, Colorado, & Larimer County, 2008

Data Source: Data Source: Larimer County Department of Human Services and United States Department of Agriculture, SNAP program data

See data table

What these data tell us:

 The criteria for the amount recipients receive in benefits are the same throughout Colorado. Variables determining benefit amounts include household size, income, and housing cost, based on statewide averages. For example, a household of one, with no income, would receive the same monthly food stamp benefits, regardless of whether they lived in Fort Collins, Pueblo or Vail.

The amount of the benefit an applicant receives is determined by: 1) family size [see Family Size, Household Size, & Household Composition], 2) income [see Per Capita Income], and 3) housing costs [see Home Ownership/Affordable Housing].

What this chart shows: Monthly Expedited Food Stamp Applications in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Monthly Expedited Food Stamp Applications in Larimer County, 2006-2008

Data Source: Colorado Department of Human Services Monthly Food Stamp Summary Report

See data table

What these data tell us:

 'Expedited Issuances' of Food Stamps are provided to households with limited income and no cash resources when it is expected they will not be able to meet basic shelter expenses of rent/mortgage and utility bills in the next month. This figure is a strong indicator of the number of people who have lost jobs in the prior month. Note the significant increase in the last half of 2008, as the effects of the recession were more apparent.

In January 2009, the number of expedited food stamp applications was 91% higher (554 applications) than in January 2008. There was also a 34% increase in the number of regular applications for food stamps, as well as a 24% in the number of cases. (See data tables)

What this chart shows: Age Categories of Larimer County Food Stamp Recipients, 2007-2008

Age Categories of Larimer County Food Stamp Recipients, 2007-2008

Data Source: Colorado Department of Human Services Monthly Food Stamp Summary Report

See data table

What these data tell us:

The18-59 age group was the largest beneficiary (53%) of this program in 2008. This same age group had a total of 4,424 Food Stamp participants in 2007. In 2008, this group increased 52% to 6,711.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Standards or Targets: N/A

Data Tables:

Food Stamp Applications - Larimer County

Month 

2006

2007

2008

2009

Jan

798

982

1,056

1,413

Feb

601

782

731

1,153

Mar

723

681

768

1,262

April

534

681

823

1,333

May

657

745

613

1,007

Jun

858

660

782

1,177

Jul

757

802

901

1,389

Aug

903

796

1,041

  

Sept

727

689

1,103

  

Oct

877

823

1,191

  

Nov

780

808

1,039

  

Dec

609

689

1,270

  

See chart

Food Stamp Cases - Larimer County

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

Jan

5,006

4,859

4,925

6,129

Feb

4,782

4,948

4,958

6,251

Mar

4,844

4,907

5,001

6,442

April

4,853

4,953

5,194

6,664

May

4,801

4,932

5,238

6,872

Jun

4,614

4,883

5,259

7,041

Jul

4,683

4,812

5,288

7,151

Aug

4,705

4,758

5,324

  

Sept

4,552

4,373

5,334

  

Oct

4,686

4,626

5,629

  

Nov

4,839

4,706

5,747

  

Dec

4,740

4,728

5,993

  

See chart

Average Monthly Benefits

 

2008

United States

$227

Colorado

$248

Larimer County

$241

See chart

Expedited Food Stamp Applications - Larimer County

 

2006

2007

2008

2009

Jan

238

328

290

554

Feb

183

271

206

464

Mar

221

213

211

518

April

151

212

231

530

May

194

249

152

389

Jun

261

202

213

466

Jul

230

260

260

533

Aug

263

242

301

  

Sept

203

189

415

  

Oct

260

218

456

  

Nov

244

227

397

  

Dec

195

182

506

  

See chart

Age of Food Stamp Recipients - Larimer County

 

2007

2008

Under 18 years

5,405

5,470

18-59 years

4,424

6,711

60+ years

627

519

Total

10,456

12,700

See chart