WASHINGTON - April 6, 2010 - Food stamp usage is up again except the program is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

According to SNAP, a record 39,430,724 receive food assistance benefits, a 22.4% increase from a year ago.

Household SNAP participants increased from 12,728,981 in Fiscal Year 2008 to 15,232,105 in fiscal year 2009, a 16.4% increase. For comparison purposes, watch the growth in household participation.

Household and cost numbers are as of March 30, 2010.

Clearly the Depression has taken its toll and will continue to do so until there is a dramatic decrease in the unemployment rate.