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"These numbers show we are doing a good job reaching the people
that need help and qualify for this program, and making sure their
families are getting food on the table all year-round," Blagojevich
said.
The program was designed to help end hunger and improve nutrition
and health. It provides support to needy households and to those
making the transition from welfare to work. The program serves as
the first line of defense against hunger. It enables low-income
families to buy nutritious food, which fosters good health and
promotes well-being.
Currently, 581,844 households in Illinois are receiving food
stamps. The monetary benefit, intended to supplement food budgets,
was approximately $102.25 per person for fiscal 2006.
"This recognition from the USDA confirms that we are helping
those families who need a boost in their food budgets while living
on limited incomes," said IDHS Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D. "We
can expect to increase efficiency even more as we begin to unveil
our technology projects, which will include offering customers the
option to apply for benefits online, which we hope will increase
access and participation for the program in the future."
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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