|
|
|
 |
|
|
| TANF recipients at record levels in Oregon |
|---|
| The increase is
due to the rise in unemployment throughout the state |
|---|
By Jason Chaney
Because of continually escalating unemployment, the need for food stamps and TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) is at record levels in Oregon.
More than 600,000 Oregonians are receiving food stamps and about 25,500 families are receiving cash assistance from TANF from the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).
"It's actually the most people receiving both cash assistance and food stamps since we started keeping records," said DHS Children, Adult and Families division communications officer Gene Evans. "This is bigger than the recession of the 1980s."
Locally, DHS District 10 - comprised of Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties - has seen more than a 30 percent increase in both programs since May 2008. Only four of the remaining 15 districts in Oregon had greater increases.
According to DHS case load data, District 10 food stamp participation in May 2009 was 34,876 - 30.3 percent more than May 2008. TANF has increased 35 percent in the same time period, with 1,119 families receiving assistance.
According to Evans, the spike is driven primarily by the high unemployment rate. As of May 2009, Crook County's seasonally adjusted rate was 20.9 percent. Last May, the county's unemployment rate was 9.2 percent.
Not only has DHS seen more people because of high unemployment, they are seeing more people that have never needed assistance before.
"We've always served people that are kind of on the margin of employment," said Prineville DHS Self Sufficiency Operations Manager Bruce Barnes. "Now we're seeing people who we have never had before. There is definitely a different level of experience coming through our doors."
For the time being, both programs are financially safe despite the significant increase in need.
"Food stamps and TANF are federal programs," Evans said. "It's unlimited."
While that is the case, DHS is hoping the higher-than-normal need will not last a long time.
"We're hoping this is temporary," Evans stated. "As people get back to work, we're hoping the numbers will decline."
However, for the time being, that doesn't appear to be the case.
"At no place in Oregon is it leveling off or going down," said Oregon DHS spokesperson Patty Wentz, regarding the level of need. "In fact we are in our second year of increases." |
| Go to top. |
|
|
|
