Food
Stamps
Unlike most of the assistance programs, Food Stamps is
administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. Benefits
issued under this program are 100% funded by the federal government.
Food Stamps are intended to supplement the food budget of low
income households. Only 7% of the households receiving food stamps are in receipt of cash
assistance. A much higher percentage of food stamp recipients receive
Social Security Income (20%), and an additional 10% of food stamp recipients
are residents of group homes for the disabled. The remaining 63% reside in
the community and are either low income wage earners or community residents
on a low fixed income.
The average monthly food stamp household count in
2004 was
1685 and we ended the year with 2020
active food stamp households. During the year we entertained 1708 applications for food stamps, many of whom met the criteria for expedited
processing. Under expedited processing rules, the agency must issue food
stamp benefits within five days of the application. Although this
accelerated issuance places a burden on staff when so many applications are
filed, it does alleviate the most necessary and urgent of needs presented by
applying households.
During 2004,
New York
State completed arrangements with the federal government to allow for food
stamp certification through the Social Security offices on behalf of the
newly eligible SSI population. For this population food stamp enrollment has become an automated portion of the processing of their SSI
application. As expected, this significantly increased the number of food
stamp participation among the SSI population. During 2004, the portion of
the food stamp case load represented by SSI recipients rose from 20% to 36%.
Food
Pantry Services
The office manages an agency food
pantry which serves any
Washington
County
resident in need, regardless of their
socio-economic status. Through
a grant from the New York State Regional Food Bank, monetary contributions
from community members/agencies, as well as food donations, the food pantry
was able to serve 1106 households in 2004. The
food pantry helps to provide a diversion for those in temporary need.
