Food benefits usage soars, more available
KEITH THORPE/Peninsula Daily News
FOOD BENEFITS QUALIFICATION
BASIC FOOD BENEFITS on the EBT cards may be used to purchase most foods at most stores that accept credit or debit cards. Benefits may not be used to purchase items such as alcohol or tobacco.
To qualify, the monthly income limits are:
One person in the household -- up to $1,805
Two people -- up to $2,429
Three people -- up to $3,052
Four people -- up to $3,675
Five people -- up to $4,299
For each additional person $624 is added.
Peninsula Daily News
BASIC FOOD BENEFITS on the EBT cards may be used to purchase most foods at most stores that accept credit or debit cards. Benefits may not be used to purchase items such as alcohol or tobacco.
To qualify, the monthly income limits are:
One person in the household -- up to $1,805
Two people -- up to $2,429
Three people -- up to $3,052
Four people -- up to $3,675
Five people -- up to $4,299
For each additional person $624 is added.
Peninsula Daily News
By Paige Dickerson
Peninsula Daily News
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"I had no other choice," said Ketchum, who is 24.
"I couldn't find a job anywhere, and I needed to take care of my baby."
With help from the food stamps; the Women, Infants and Children program -- popularly known as WIC -- and Olympic Community Action Program's Community Jobs program, she is now building a better support system.
She is one of hundreds in Jefferson and Clallam counties who are benefitting from the Department of Social and Health Services Basic Food Program.
Since the economic downturn, the number of people using the program has grown steadily.
She now works part time for Habitat for Humanity's ReStore in Port Angeles and attends classes at Peninsula College.
Aspiring to work in hatcheries, she is working her way through the Fisheries Program at Peninsula College, which lasts for three semesters.
"I couldn't make it without the food stamps," she said.
"It was especially hard for me when my daughter was a baby because formula is way more expensive than you'd think."
Her daughter Marchetta's father once lived on the North Olympic Peninsula but now has returned to his homeland of Mexico. Ketchum receives no financial assistance from him.
More need help
In Clallam County, the number of families on food stamps increased by 19.4 percent between October 2008 (4,234 families) and October 2009 (5,057) -- the most recent numbers available.
Jefferson County families on food stamps increased 29.2 percent during the same time period: In October 2008, 1,618 families participated in the program and in October 2009 that number had increased to 2,090.
The total number of people, including children, receiving benefits in Clallam County in October 2008 was 7,721, which increased 20.6 percent to 9,311 in October 2009.
In Jefferson County the total number of people was 2,701 in October 2008; a year later, it was 3,526, a 30.5 percent increase.
In both counties, the increase was steady with no fluctuations in different seasons.
"We have been seeing families and individuals come in that have never ever been on [food stamps] or have been off of food stamps for many years and are now having to seek our services again," said Patricia Busse, administrator of the Clallam and Jefferson counties services offices.
"Another thing we have noticed is that even people who work full time are not able to stretch their dollars as far as they used to."
Help is available
She estimated that in 2010 the numbers would continue to rise -- and said that hundreds who would qualify on the North Olympic Peninsula have not yet applied.
"Even if someone thinks that they wouldn't [qualify] based on the maximum salary requirement, there are things that we might be able to deduct if they are struggling, and we might be able to see if there is a way they might qualify for some assistance," she said.
"A lot of people likely don't realize that they qualify. We are really trying to encourage people to come check in with us if they are struggling because we might be able to help."
In addition to unemployment, underemployment -- when a person is either working a job for which they are overqualified or working only part time but would like a full-time job -- as well as cost of living have increased, said Busse.
"When certain prices -- such as gas prices -- went up, some families never fully recovered from that," she said.
"And now some employers are not offering benefits that they used to or aren't offering overtime that people used to be able to count on.
"Family expenses have gone up and they have used credit and are at the end of their rope."
'It helps so much'
Ketchum said that her progress toward a full-time, well-paying job is directly impacted by receiving food stamps.
"It helps so much," she said.
"I buy produce, which can be just so expensive.
"I also use them to buy meat, which can also be expensive."
In all, she receives about $300 in benefits each month, which helps the single mother get through the month on a part time job and a heavy load at school.
"I used to have a second job, but now that I'm in school I had to give it up," she said.
Busse said that especially during the economic downturn the services she can offer families are underutilized.
"We would really, really like it if people would come to us if they need help before they get in too deep, because the majority of our programs are for working families," said Busse.
"We have all sorts of programs beyond just food assistance.
"We have day care help where families can negotiate a set amount per moth that they put toward day care and we take care of the rest.
"The food benefits are mostly for working families."
Stigma not as great
Busse said that the program has also shed a lot of the stigmas that previously existed.
Now instead of the traditional "food stamps," the program issues EBT cards -- which look like most other debit or credit cards, she said.
"People who are self-conscious about using these benefits can know that someone would have to be staring really hard for someone to recognize a difference between it and a debit card," she said.
She also said that people who might not qualify for the average of $230 per month in benefits could still see some help.
"The minimum we give out is $10 per month," she said.
"And you do not have to use it up within the month.
"So think about it: You could save up for three or four months and then go to the store and stock up and it could really help out in that way of keeping the pantry stocked."
The cards cannot be used for items like beer, cigarettes or hot, prepared food, she said.
Beyond food stamps
"Another thing, if people qualify for our benefits their children would also qualify for free or reduced meals at school -- which is another way that they can make it through tough times," Busse said.
A new tool allows people to apply online at www.onlinecso.dhs.wa.gov for help as well, Busse said.
People may also apply for food assistance by phone by phoning toll free 877-514-3663.
To visit in person, stop by the offices in Port Angeles, 201 W. First St., or Port Townsend, 915 Sheridan St. or in Forks, 71 N. Spartan Ave.
"If someone is having a hard time making it through the doors of our office they can apply there and never come down," she said.
"But we work really hard so that we offer as much of a safe, helpful and comforting place as possible."
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: January 10. 2010 9:18PM
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