U.S., Florida Food Stamp Enrollment Declines
WASHINGTON,
D.C. — According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of Floridians enrolled in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or also referred to as government
food stamps) fell slightly to 3.54 million in November 2013 which is .1% less than November 2012. 
The cost of the federal food stamp program in Florida hit a new high in FY 2013 of $5.9 billion. However, November 2013 marks the beginning of a reduction in benefits to households following the expiration of the part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) which raised SNAP
benefits following the 2008 recession.
Nationwide,
47 million people were on food stamps for the month of November 2013, down 1.4% from a year ago, with
an average per person benefit of $133.07 per month. There were about 32 million Americans on Food Stamps when President Barack Obama took office in January 2009.
There were around a half million less Floridians on Food Stamps when Florida Governor Rick Scott took office in January 2011.
