Rahpouyan News Agency: Nearly half of US households receiving government benefits

Nearly half of US households receiving government benefits
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    on 2012-01-18 05:07:00
 
The pool of  Americans relying on government benefits rose to record highs last
year as an  increasing share of families tapped aid in a weak economy.
Expanding government  programs combined with the worst downturn since the Great
Depression have led to  an explosion in the share of Americans relying on
outside help.
To combat prolonged  economic weakness, Congress extended unemployment benefits
to a record 99 weeks  (up from the normal 26-weeks offered in most states). WSJ
FACTS & FIGURES
Some 48.6% of the  population lived in a household receiving some type of
government benefit in the  second quarter of 2011, up a notch from 48.5% in the
first quarter, according to  Census data. U.S. Census  Bureau
The largest chunk of  benefits flowing to families came from means-tested
programs. In the second  quarter of 2011, 34.4% lived in a household benefiting
from food stamps,  subsidized housing or Medicaid, among others. The Atlantic
That number is up  from 32.8% a year ago (when a total of 46.8% of the
population lived in a home  receiving benefits). The biggest increases came from
an uptick in those turning  to food stamps and Medicaid. The Atlantic
As of October 2011,  46,224,722 Americans were receiving food stamps. In
Washington, D.C., and  Mississippi,  more than one-fifth of residents receive
food stamps. Recipients must have at  most near-poverty incomes to qualify for
benefits. International Herald  Tribune