About 1.1 Million Ohioans Receive Food Stamps, Highest In Nation

March 25, 2008 10:57 a.m. EST

Columbus, OH (AHN)-A historic number of Ohioans are currently receiving government-funded food stamps, a new survey shows.

The Ohio Department of Job And Family Services finds that nearly 1.1 million residents- or 1 in 10 Ohioans-are now receiving food stamps, the highest rate since 2001.

Some estimates show that nearly another 500,000 residents are eligible to receive food aid from the state, but are not currently enrolled in the program.

Among the factors for Ohio's rising number of food-stamp program recipients include a stagnant economy, increasing costs of gas and groceries, and the highest level of unemployment in Ohio's recent history, up from up from 4.4% in 2001 to 5.3% in 2008.

According to the Department of Job And Family Services in Ohio, individuals with incomes up to 130 percent of the federal poverty level and with assets no greater than $2,000 are eligible to receive food stamps.