Food stamp applications soar as Georgia economy struggles amid pandemic
More applications were filed by those seeking food stamps in the month after most Georgians began social distancing to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus than in the first two and a half months of the year.
About 183,000 households applied for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, between March 13 and April 17, according to data from the state Division of Family and Children Services. About 118,000 applications were approved during that time period.
That number jumped from nearly 103,000 applications submitted from Jan. 1 to March 12, according to DFCS data. About 67,000 applications were approved during the same time period.
Like the rest of the nation, many in Georgia are struggling as the economy slows down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
As of last Thursday, the state had processed about 1.1 million unemployment claims, more than one-fifth of the state's work force, in a month.
Applications for Medicaid — the public health program that provides care to the poor and disabled — have also increased, though not at the same rate as food stamps, according to DFCS data.
About 95,000 Medicaid applications were submitted between March 13 and April 17. From Jan. 1 to March 12, DFCS received more than 158,000 applications.
About the Author
Maya T. Prabhu covers the Georgia Senate and statewide issues as a government reporter for The AJC. Born in Queens, New York, and raised in northern Virginia, Maya attended Spelman College and then the University of Maryland for a master's degree. She writes about social issues, the criminal justice system and legislative politics.
