Hunger in San Diego

Empower Students Program

May 2010

ile a new name is still being developed for the California branch. The purpose of this program is to provide money to fam

How many people are eligible for food stamps?

483,000 people in San Diego are eligible to receive
food stamps. Only a small percent of applicable residents
apply for food stamps. If all eligible people applied, San
Diego could receive up to $100 million dollars each year to
assist those who need assistance.

How many people are receiving food

stamps in San Diego County?
In May 2006, only 83,262 people
were receiving food stamps in San Diego
County. In 2010, this number drastically
increased to 169,050 people, but there
are also many more eligible thanks to the
recent economic recession.
do not include your home or vehicle. Your total household income must be equal to or less than 130% of the federal pove

go over your application as well as help you to complete it. You must bring all required documents to this meeting, and if

What can you buy with food stamps?

You may buy any food items besides pet food, alcohol,
and heated food. You may also buy seeds to plant to grow food
for your family. Also, the store you go to has to accept SNAP
EBT cards. Most grocery store chains do.

What is the experience like when applying for food stamps?

Many people report feelings of discrimination and embarrassment during the
application process for receiving food stamps. Many of the customer service workers
are stationed behind bulletproof glass. Applicants feel discriminated against due to
social status differences. Some complain because of the feeling if violation.
Representative workers go into their homes and search from corner to corner.
Many feel that workers have no trust in them. Background checks and home
searches allow applicants to have no freedom. Workers seem to try and find something
incorrect. Workers search for anything that could ruin applicants hopes for receiving
food stamps.

rocessed, are long, with 32% of people waiting for 4 or more hours. Also, this process can take up to five visits. Many peop
 What has the county done to fix the problems, if anything?
The city has taken few approaches to make the food stamp application process less
tedious. Family resource centers are no moving on from individual staff members to a group
of caseworkers. They believe that applying more people to each case, the effort can be
completed sooner. Their attempt to provide a more plausible customer service includes the
efforts to have less office visits, and allows same day personal interviews. Larger groups of
staff are able to process applications and make final decisions more quickly.
Another time saver has been the allowance of phone interviews rather than personal
interviews. This is only under specific circumstances though. To have a phone interview you
must be disabled, ill, unable to find transportation, or difficulties due to busy work schedules.

er of people that are eligible, as well as make it more clear who is eligible and who isn’t. They need to shorten wait times, m

y to help. Knowledge of local issues is the first step to fixing problems. Encourage community leaders to take initiative an