By Mike Sever
Record-Courier staff writer
One in seven Portage County residents receive nutritional help through food stamps, and the number is growing.
That's higher than Ohio's overall ratio of one in 10, which is the highest in the state's history.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently reported statewide caseloads have nearly doubled since 2001, with 1.1 million residents now using the federal program's benefits.
In Portage County, the number of cases jumped from 2,743 in 2002 to 4,647 by February this year. That's a 59 percent increase in cases.
The number of people involved in each case also has gone up 78 percent. The county had 10,668 people receiving benefits as of February, compared to 5,996 in 2002, according to Anita Herington, director of the county Department of Job and Family Services.
Children up to age 17 comprise the biggest group of recipients, totaling 4,829. Just under 400 senior citizens, 65 years and older, receive benefits, according to information from the county JFS office. More than half the recipients live within Ravenna and Kent zip codes.
Herington said she expects the numbers to climb even more this year. Her office has seen a 4.3 percent increase in caseloads in the first two months this year.
Portage County's unemployment rate for February was 6.1 percent, higher than Ohio's 5.3 percent (seasonally adjusted) and the U.S. rate of 4.8 percent.
Linda Seeman, who manages Public Assistance Direct Services for Portage County JFS, said there is no typical food stamp client.
"We get families and individuals. We are getting bigger households," she said.
While the numbers of recipients are growing, Seeman and Herington both said there are more people who are eligible who don't apply for various reasons.
Some people may be embarrassed to apply, or feel they might only be eligible for the minimum $10 a month.
"I tell them, 'If you had a $10 off coupon, wouldn't that be worthwhile?'" Seeman said.
Others may not apply because they feel the process is too involved, or don't have transportation.
Some people don't feel they should be dependent on any kind of program, Herington said.
"It's not welfare," Herington said. "It's a nutrition program. It is to allow people, young families and senior citizens, get nutritious food," she said.
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SIDEBAR
Food stamps are a program of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Amounts to be used for food are certified through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that looks just like a credit or debit payment card.
Food stamp benefits can only be used for food and for plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.
Food stamp benefits cannot be used to buy:
* Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products and household supplies, grooming items, toothpaste and cosmetics;
* Alcoholic beverages and tobacco;
* Vitamins and medicines;
* Any good that will be eaten in the store;
* Hot foods.