OCR Text |
Show Food stamp use high in State of Utah Utah had the highest percentage per-centage of public assistance recipients participating in the food stamp program in the Intermountain Area, a Utah Department of Social Services study shows. The Bureau of Statistical Services report shows that in June 1976 75 percent of Utah's 26,000 public assistance assis-tance recipients participated in the program. The participation participa-tion rate for Utah was 5 percent above the national average of 70 percent. Hawaii and Rhode Island had 95 percent of their public assistance clients participating participat-ing in the program. In the Intermountain Area, Colorado had a participation rate of 74 percent; New Mexico, 69 percent; Arizona, 66 percent; Montana, 58 percent; per-cent; Wyoming, 49 percent and Nevada, 48 percent. Alaska Alas-ka had the fewest recipients participating with only 22 percent enrolled. Most current statistics on the food stamp program show that in Mar., 1977, there were 7,693 Utah public assistance households with 26,758 persons per-sons participating in the program. pro-gram. All Aid to Families and Dependent Children (AFDC) and General Assistance (GA) recipients are eligible to participate par-ticipate in the program. Individuals with low or moderate incomes, but above the welfare grant level, can also participate in the program. pro-gram. In ' Utah, there were approximately 11,700 persons participating in this category. The food stamp program helps individuals stretch their food dollars. Individuals pay a portion of the cost of the stamps and then receive a bonus amount of stamps. During Dur-ing Marcli, 1977, approximately approxi-mately $15 million in food stamp coupons were issued. The average value of stamps per household was $120.13 a month. The average bonus per household was $63.71. Income limits for the food stamp program go up in July. Eligibility for food stamps takes into consideration work expenses, child care, utilities and other items. Individuals interested in enrolling in the food stamp program should contact their local Assistance Payments Office. |