Food Assistance
Federally funded Food Assistance is offered to individuals and families with income below 130 percent of the federal poverty level (see poverty guidelines). Eligible households are able to buy food by using a Vision card that is used like a debit card at the grocery store. During fiscal year 2006, the program supplemented the food budgets of 182,821 households with an average per person benefit of about $84.39 per month. About 49 percent of food assistance recipients are children. There are no time limits on this program, as long as eligibility requirements are met. Applications are available at local SRS service centers, SRS access points, and many helping agencies across the state.
| Food Assistance Average | |
| Average Monthly Persons | 182,821 |
| Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006 | $185,134,708 |
Food Distribution Assistance
Food Distribution services give food to low-income households, charitable institutions, soup kitchens, elderly food programs, pregnant or nursing women, and children under age 6. These programs are accessed through community organizations which distribute food to take home or prepare meals.
| Food Distribution Assistance | |
| Individuals Served per Month | 23,859 |
| Value of Food---SFY 2006 | $3,829,359 |
"I was turned down for food assistance. What can I do?"
This usually happens because of a person not meeting the program eligibility requirements. The local regional SRS service center can review the file to ensure that the correct eligibility determination was made. If the determination was correct, SRS staff can assist with information regarding community food banks and other resources.