Maximum amount of total personal assets an individual can have and still remain eligible for food stamps $2,000
Maximum per-month income for an individual $1,037
Average gross monthly income for food stamp households $648
Maximum monthly food stamp benefit for an individual $155
Maximum for a family of four $518
Percent increase in the Food Stamp Program in the last five years 11
Percent of food stamp recipients under 18 approximately half
Percent of families living with "very low food security" in 2001, according to the USDA 10.9
The USDA's goal, outlined in 2001, for families living with "very low food security" 7.4
Percent of families living with "very low food security" in 2006 12.4
Source: USDA.gov
This article appears in Jul 18-24, 2007.