Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
NY Food Stamp Usage Up 70% From When The Recession Began
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 8, 2011
Modified Nov 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 8, 2011
Modified Nov 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
To receive food stamps in New York State, one must be single and make under $14,088 a year, or a be in a family of four and make under $26,668. According to LoHud, the amount of money distributed through the EBT program is up 133% this year, compared with when the recession began in 2007. Three million people were on food stamps this July, a 70% increase from that year. You can't buy Double Downs with them quite yet, but our money is on Taco Bell anyway—those half-pound burritos temporarily take the pain away.
It's also unclear how much of the money is going towards fraudulent claims, which is why MayBloomberg is defending his directive to fingerprint who receive food stamp assistance. If there's one hard and fast rule about EBT cards, it's that you should NEVER rap about them.
Tagged
2012 election
bummers
ebt
economy
food stamps
great recession
kfc
taco bell
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .