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Food stamp use continues to rise

In February, 123,385 recipients were removed from the food stamps program with the current total still increasing 4.81 percent on a year-over-year basis while household participation increased 6.56 percent.

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This chart shows the monthly and annual increase in the participation in the federal food stamp program as it correlates to the unemployment rate since 2004. While unemployment has dropped, food stamp participation has continued to increase on a year over year basis.

As a logical consequence of the prolonged economic downturn it appears that participation in the federal food stamp program is continuing to rise.

In fact, household participation has been climbing so steadily that it has far surpassed the last peak (which looks like a minor blip by comparison) set as a result of the immediate fallout following hurricane Katrina.

The latest data released by the Department of Agriculture shows that in February, 123,385 recipients were removed from the food stamps program with the current total still increasing 4.81% on a year-over-year basis while household participation increased 6.56%.

Individual participation as a ratio of the overall civilian non-institutional population has increased 3.26% over the same period.

Participation continues to swell with nominal benefit costs climbing a lofty 4.61% on a year-over-year basis to $6.16 billion for the month.

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