Surge in Hawaii Food-Stamp Use

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A new study by the Urban Institute finds Hawaii’s use of food stamps jumped 54 percent in a three-year period beginning in 2007.

The think-tank framed its research in the context of the federal deficit debate, and echoed the Democratic position in ongoing debt discussions. The institute warned against cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and emphasized economic recovery through investments in infrastructure and education.

Hawaii’s increased SNAP enrollment came as part of a larger trend. The federal government saw state SNAP caseloads jump by as much as 128 percent between 2007 and 2010, the Urban Institute reports. 

Check out this map, showing the state-by-state percentage change in SNAP enrollment during that period:

Screen shot from the Urban Institute: "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Counters High Unemployment," July 2011

Screen shot from the Urban Institute’s “Unemployment and Recovery Project,” July 2011 

According to the study, SNAP cost about $60 billion last year. Read more of the Urban Institute’s research into SNAP enrollment.  

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