Food stamps

Urge City to make commitment to keep Center in Coney Island indefinitely, beyond lease expiration of May 2010

October 16, 2009 -- NEW YORK, N.Y. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Councilman Domenic Recchia, State Senators Diane Savino and Carl Kruger, and Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny expressed thanks to Robert Doar, Commissioner of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), for his willingness to maintain services at the City’s Coney Island Food Stamp Center.    » read more »

Funding Available Due to Increased Enrollment in Food Stamp Program

February 26, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that due to increased enrollment in the federally-funded Food Stamp program, New York State has received $162.4 million in new federal funding through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Fund – a federal fund that assists states in providing benefits and services to low-income families when unfavorable economic conditions exist.    » read more »

Is Leader In Great Lakes Region

March 31, 2008 -- Michigan leads the nation's largest states in ensuring needy families have access to food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Michigan has the largest percentage of families participating in its Food Assistance Program of the largest states and is ranked tenth overall among states in participation.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service estimates that, in Michigan, more than 75 percent of persons that qualify for food assistance received it during 2005, the year covered in the report. This exceeds the national average by 10 points and is ahead of other large states. The report graded Michigan in a tie with Illinois with the highest participation among the seven Great Lakes states.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2008 -- Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that USDA will offer $5 million in grants to improve participation in food stamps for those who are eligible, but for a variety of reasons do not receive the help intended for them.

"Nationally, about 65 percent of all those who are eligible for food stamp benefits are currently participating in the program," said Schafer. "Yet fewer than 31 percent of the elderly and 50 percent of Hispanic families who are eligible for food stamps are actually participating."    » read more »

February 12, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox today announced charges against 27 people associated with eight stores in Detroit who are alleged to be involved in food stamp trafficking totaling more than $1.5 million.

"This is a crime against taxpayers and those who are most vulnerable," said Cox. "The cost to taxpayers as a result of this fraudulent activity is staggering."    » read more »

Program Seeks to Increase Enrollment among Eligible Working Families

February 4, 2008 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the launch of the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative, an effort to dramatically expand and simplify Food Stamp eligibility statewide to help more families achieve economic security. By improving the efficiency of the program and streamlining enrollment, the State will provide needed assistance to families across New York who are struggling to get by.    » read more »

Calls on Senate Leaders to Reconsider Omitting Food Stamp Benefit After Experts Say Increasing Benefit Is Effective Way to Spur Economy

Janaury 28, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is leading an effort to include an increase in Food Stamp benefits in the economic stimulus package currently being worked on by Congress.    » read more »

Illinois' Food Stamp Program provides help to 75 percent of those who qualify for assistance

November 21, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Illinois has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its effectiveness in reaching those families in need of assistance through the Food Stamp Program, administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).    » read more »

Benefits Extended to 100,000 Low-Income Families; New York to Receive $200 Million in Federal Funds with No Cost to the State

September 27, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today that the federal government has approved a critical component of his economic security agenda by expanding access to the Food Stamp Program to low-income, working families in New York.    » read more »

With More Markets Accepting Food Stamp Benefit Cards,State’s Fresh Produce Finds Another Way to the Table

August 19, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut residents enrolled in the Food Stamp program can now use their benefit cards to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally produced foods at 18 farmers’ markets across the state. Farmers’ markets accepting Food Stamps are located in Hartford, New Haven, West Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, New London, Norwalk, Stratford, Scotland, Willimantic, Coventry and Newtown.    » read more »

July 5, 2007 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington’s department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has been awarded almost $3 million in a federal performance bonus for reducing errors in delivering food stamp benefits.

“This is the second year in a row that Washington has received a cash reward for high standards of accountability,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “This continued outstanding performance means that we are saving money for taxpayers by efficiently and accurately delivering services.”    » read more »

June 29, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today that New York State has been awarded $8.8 million in federal bonus funding for significantly improving the administration of the state’s Food Stamp Program.

“Food Stamps are critical to helping poor New Yorkers achieve financial independence for their families,” said Governor Spitzer. “New York State has proven itself increasingly adept at providing Food Stamps in an efficient, cost-effective manner, which is a testament to the hard working staff of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.”    » read more »

Spitzer Seeks to Extend Benefits to 100,000 Families

June 5, 2007 -- In conjunction with National Hunger Awareness Day, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced a proposal that would expand access to the Food Stamp Program for low-income working families in New York State.

According to the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the program, would extend federally funded food stamp benefits to as many as 100,000 additional households, or more than 200,000 people, over the next 18 months.    » read more »