Food Stamp President?

Food stamp usage always rises in a recession so the recent surge is not remotely surprising.  Food stamps rose at about a 20% year over year rate at the worst point in the current recession and has since declined to a 4.25% year over year pace. So, the rate of change is still positive, but it's come way down from its worst levels.

• 55% of all participants are children (under 18) or elderly (over 65).
• Food stamp usage has been on the rise since 2001 with the exception of a meager year over year decline in 2007.
• The recent recession was comparable to both surges in the 70′s, but was much larger than more recent recessions.
• The annual rate of change has averaged 8% since inception.
• The 2012 rate of change (4.25%) was substantially lower than the average rate of change.

Food stamp usage is still on the rise even if there is a modest recovery occurring and it shows the depth of the recession that we've just been through. Clearly, the average and lower class American isn't feeling like this is a recovery. The lasting impact of the balance sheet recession is a recovery that still feels very much like a recession to a huge portion of the U.S. population.  Once the recovery actually creates jobs and impacts those at the bottom of the economic ladder rather than benefitting those at the top of the economic ladder there will be a corresponding drop in food stamp usage.  There are only a very few millionaires who use food stamps.