44 Million Americans Received Food Stamps in 2010

DURHAM, N.H.A new report released by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire reveals 44 million Americans received Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 2010, an increase of 4% since the recession began in 2007.

According to the report, the number of Americans receiving SNAP benefits increased 61.2% since 2007. In December 2010, 44 million people received SNAP benefits, compared with 35.9 million in July 2009, and 27.3 million in November 2007, according to the Food and Research Action Center. By 2010, nearly 12% of all American households reported receiving SNAP benefits, an increase of 4% points since the recession began in 2007, and 1.6% points since 2009.

From 2007 to 2010, the percentage of urban households receiving SNAP benefits increased from 9.8% to 14.8%, and rural households saw an increase from 10.6% to 14.6%. Suburban households receiving SNAP benefits increased from 5.4% to 9% during the period.

Reliance on SNAP was very high among single parents in 2010, rising 10 percentage points nationally among single mothers and fathers since 2007. In 2010, 42% of single mothers and 25% of single fathers relied on SNAP; in rural places, the rate was as high as one in two single mothers.

These findings suggest that not only did SNAP receipt continue to rise in 2010, but it rose at an accelerated pace among households struggling the most, providing critical support to families in a tough economy," said Jessica Bean, vulnerable families research associate at the Carsey Institute.