Hungry America, 32.2 million applied for food stamps

In January 32.2 million people in the U.S. received food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program according to the data released by the government on Thursday. Food stamps are provided as a part of the major U.S. anti-hunger program to help people buy groceries. In January the average benefit per person accounted for $112.82.

In February the unemployment rate in America stood for 8.1%, the highest in 25 years. Last week new claims for jobless benefits totaled 669,000, unseen within the last 26 years.

The government’s reports shows that in January food stamp enrollment increased in 46 out of 50 states with the national total up 1.3% (580,000 people) from December.

Vermont, Alaska and South Dakota had increases of more than 5 percent. Texas had the largest enrollment, 2.984 million, down 65,000, followed by California at 2.545 million, up 43,000, and New York with 2.211 million, up 37,000.

According to the data for the five months with January included food stamps were received by:

31.587 million in September 2008 

31.050 million in October 2008 

31.097 million in November 2008 

31.784 million in December 2008 

32.205 million in January 2009