New USDA Data Shows another Jump in SNAP Enrollment

The federal agency has released data on SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) enrollment and benefit amounts for the 50 states. Not surprisingly, average monthly participation in the program rose in FFY 2011. Almost 45 million Americans were receiving SNAP benefits each month in FFY 2011 (estimated), a nearly 70% increase over FFY 2007 enrollment levels. Connecticut experienced an even greater increase (78%) than the national average during this time, with enrollee numbers rising from about 215,000 in FFY 07 to almost 380,000 in FFY 11.

When the USDA looked at average households participating, the increases were even greater. For all 50 states, the average number of households receiving benefits climbed 79% to over 21 million. And Connecticut saw almost 205,000 households participate in FFY 11, an 82% increase over FFY 07.