Contributed photo
Contributed photo
An analysis of data by the Lake County Gazette found 11.32 percent of residents in Waukegan were receiving food stamps as of April 30.
Waukegan is in ZIP codes 60085 and 60087, which include a total of 96,467 people. Of that number, 19,619 (20.34 percent) were receiving food stamps as of April 30, down from 20,412 (21.16 percent) in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the food-stamp program, also known as SNAP, for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
DHS said a family of four earning $40,020 per year receives $649 per month.
A family of six earning $53,748 per year receives $925 per month.
An individual earning $19,428 receives $194 per month. A childless couple earning $26,292 receives $357.
Approximately 16 percent of Illinois residents currently receive food stamps.
Nationally, 46.5 million Americans receive food stamps, or 15 percent of the U.S. population and 20 percent of U.S. households.
In contrast, in 2000, 17.2 million Americans (6 percent) received food stamps. In 2008, that number was 28.2 million (9.3 percent).
In 1969, 2.878 million Americans received food stamps, or just 0.014 percent of the U.S. population.
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