More Food Stamps Recipients Now Have Jobs

The recovery has provided more low-income and part-time jobs

As unemployment climbs you'd expect to see more Americans depend on government assistance programs like food stamps. But it's not just those out of work who are increasingly reliant on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, reports Reuters. "About forty percent of food stamp recipients are ... in households in which at least one member of the family earns wages. ...  In 1989, a higher percentage were on benefits than working, but as of 2009 a higher percentage had earned income." More are using the program as a work-support supplement and it's only expected to increase. "So far in the recovery, jobs growth has been concentrated in lower-wage occupations, with minimal growth in middle-income wages as many higher-paid blue collar jobs have disappeared."