Hawaii to Give Food Stamps to Families of 4 Making $50,000

by Josie Raymond · 2010-09-28 15:00:00 UTC
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How do you say "woohoo" in Hawaiian?

The exclamation is definitely called for now that the Aloha State is expanding eligibility for food stamps for its residents. Starting next month, Hawaii will abide by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's (SNAP) upper limit, letting Hawaiians making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level to get food assistance. About half of all states operate at the maximum.

That means that a family of four making up to $50,736 could get food stamps. (Right now the cutoff is 130 percent of the poverty threshold, or $32,976.) It also means that 22,000 more people will be eligible for help, earning Hawaii tens of millions more in federal food stamp money.

Food stamps have seen an enormous boost in enrollment nationwide since the start of the recession. Forty million Americans currently rely on food stamps. In Hawaii, more than one in 10 residents does. The state's program has grown a staggering 62 percent since 2007. Food stamps are arguably the most middle class-friendly federal assistance program, since many people who are eligible for them earn too much to qualify for cash assistance through TANF or medical assistance through Medicaid.

Officials at the state's Department of Human Services were quick to point out that the benefits are twofold. First, more people will have food to eat. (Though they won't be eating caviar. The average household benefit is around $227.) Second, food stamp distribution stimulates the economy, as recipients use that money at grocery stores and markets that employ their neighbors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that every $5 in food stamps provides the equivalent of more than $9 in economic activity. It makes moral sense and financial sense. So tell me again why Congress is cutting food stamp funding?

Photo credit: Jennifer Boyer

Josie Raymond has reported from the streets of the South Bronx, written for several magazines that folded (not her fault) and fixed thousands of typos.
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