In Rhode Island only 56 percent of those eligible for food stamps actually participate in the federally funded program, according to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.
Though the participation rate is the highest it has been in nine years, according to state officials, anti-poverty advocates would like to see the state exceed its current rank of 44th in the country for food stamp participation.
One of their arguments is that with the state facing a projected $450 million deficit in the budget year that begins July 1, it should be doing everything in its grasp to generate economic activity. Anti-poverty advocates say that if the state went from a level of 56-percent participation to 80-percent participation, it would bring about $35 million to grocery stores in the state.
Julie Silvia, community organizer for the George Wiley Center, also pointed out that in addition to providing all food stamp money, the federal government pays for 50 percent of the administration the program, thus having a minimal impact on the cost for the state.
Silvia organized a recent anti-hunger demonstration in front of the state’s Department of Human Services in Cranston in response to a letter written to the Wiley Center Jan. 8 by Gary D. Alexander, director of the department.
In the letter, Alexander addressed the three suggestions that the Wiley Center, an anti-poverty, advocatory nonprofit in Providence, provided for improving participation in the food stamp program.
The first suggestion was to extend food stamp office hours two nights per week and to add Saturday hours. The offices are currently open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Silvia said that doesn’t leave enough time for working people to get to the office.
In response, Alexander said in the letter that extended weekday and Saturday hours would have “serious cost consequences” because staff would have to be paid overtime and office security issues would need to be addressed.
But since the demonstration on Jan. 16 Alexander has promised to look into the issue more.
The problem is the office lacks enough staff and funds to be open more hours, said Bob McDonough, administrator of family and adult services for DHS.
The Wiley Center also suggested changing the recertification process from every six months to annually and improving outreach efforts. But the DHS already employs a method known as “simplified reporting,” which allows food stamp applicants to send in a form as opposed to going to an interview every six months for recertification, McDonough said.
And the department implemented an online application process this year to ease the problems that arise for applicants in finding the time and transportation to get to a food stamp office.
McDonough said federal regulations require that some form of a recertification process take place every six months.
In regard to outreach efforts, Alexander said, current use of the University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America as an agent to improve food stamp participation has helped. Participation increased from 73,225 people in 2006 to 78,046 last year.
He said that increase is not reflected in the USDA study, which used 2005 information to rank Rhode Island 44th in the nation.
Andrew Schiff, executive director of the R.I. Community Food Bank, said he recognizes the improvements DHS has made.
“The question is why are so many people who could clearly benefit not taking advantage of food stamps?” he said. “It’s a matter of public policy. You have to have leadership in government making it a priority.” •
