Shasta County residents get a boost in benefits

It just grew a bit easier for Shasta County residents to put nutritious food on their dinner tables.

Participants in California's Food Stamp Program will receive a 13.6 percent increase in their benefits effective immediately thanks to the passage of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This means the average monthly food stamp benefit received by an estimated 17,500 Shasta County residents will increase from approximately $300 to $341 per household, according to Jean Keyes, a staff services analyst for Shasta County's Health and Human Services Agency that oversees the program.

"Many families, often for the first time, are finding it difficult to buy groceries, pay for utilities and keep a roof over their heads," said Keyes. "This increase in benefits will dramatically improve a family's ability to feed their children."

The benefits don't stop with eligible families either, Keyes noted.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every federal food stamp dollar spent results in a $1.84 in local economic activity. Local retailers, grocers, farmers' markets and transportation businesses all benefit from this increase in spending.

In addition, food stamps may also be used to purchase seeds and plants to develop a more sustainable food source.

It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of eligible Shasta County residents are not currently receiving benefits.

"We encourage anyone who has experienced a job loss or a change in circumstances to find out if they are eligible for nutrition assistance," Keyes said.

Eligibility is determined in part by income, family size and resources. Current food stamp recipients will automatically receive their benefit increase. To find out if you may be eligible for food stamps, please call 225-5767.