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FOOD STAMPS CONTINUE TO SERVE AS CRUCIAL SUPPORT IN U.S. CITIES
BUT MILLIONS STILL MISSING OUT, FINDS FRAC SURVEY

Read the report: "Food Stamp Access in Urban America: A City-by-City Snapshot"

Washington, D.C. – More than $1.9 billion in food stamp benefits was left unclaimed by 24 of the largest U.S. cities and urban counties in 2004, according to Food Stamp Access in Urban America, the Food Research and Action Center’s latest survey of food stamp usage and hunger.

According to FRAC’s Local Access Indicator (the measure used by FRAC to calculate local participation in the program), it is estimated that only 66 percent of the people in the 24 cities who were eligible for food stamps were actually receiving benefits. While outreach efforts in some places are working to enroll larger numbers of eligible persons, barriers to applying for food stamps include language or cultural challenges, unnecessary red tape and other administrative barriers, concern about stigma or low-income people simply just not knowing that they are eligible.

“Too many families in America’s cities are facing a constant struggle against hunger. While there has been an increase in food stamp participation, thanks to strong outreach efforts, there are still millions unaware they could be receiving this help that is basic to their health and well-being,” said FRAC President Jim Weill.

Food stamp participation in the surveyed cities was lowest in San Diego (Calif.), with only 27 percent participating, and in Clark County (Las Vegas, Nev.), with 43 percent participating. In Duval County (Jacksonville, Fla.), King County (Seattle, Wash.) and Los Angeles County, barely one half of eligible people participated.

Four of the urban areas had 90 percent or more of their eligible people accessing food stamp benefits: Shelby County (Memphis, Tenn.); Marion County (Indianapolis, Ind.); Milwaukee County (Milwaukee, Wisc.); and Wayne County (Detroit, Mich.).

Cities that were missing out on the most federal food stamp dollars were:

• Los Angeles County, which missed out on $463 million;
• New York City, $430 million; and
• Harris County ( Houston, Tex.), $168 million.

“It’s not only low-income people who lose out when there is underparticipation in the program, but also local communities,” said Ellen Vollinger, FRAC’s Legal Director. “Research shows that each dollar in federal food stamp benefits generates nearly twice that in economic activity. We can do much more to connect eligible people with benefits by making it easier for them to sign up. We also can raise awareness of the program by getting information about food stamps to people where they work, go to school, get health care, obtain services, pray and shop. FRAC identified a number of strategies that can increase urban participation in the food stamp program, including outreach, application assistance, documentation receipts, caseworker training, and links with other work supports. A second recent report by FRAC, Guide to Food Stamp Outreach Collaborations, describes unique and effective outreach programs.

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The Food Research and Action Center (www.frac.org) is the leading national organization working for more effective public and private policies to eradicate domestic hunger and undernutrition.

Regional Press Releases

California Association of Food Banks

Children’s Alliance (Washington State)

New York City Coalition Against Hunger

San Diego Hunger Coalition