Passing on Food Stamps is a Missed Opportunity for Economic Growth

States across the nation are looking at their enrollment rates in food stamps and other entitlement programs and realizing they are losing big-time when their citizens don’t enroll in the programs. In Ohio, according to an April 28, 2007 article in Cleveland.com, “state officials say that about $1.5 billion in public benefits, from tax credits to food stamps, goes unclaimed by eligible Ohioans every year.” According to the Santa Fe Mexican, the Food Stamp Program is expected to bring $280 million to New Mexico’s economy in 2007. Every $5 spent on food stamps in New Mexico creates $9.20 in economic activity for local communities according to the state’s Human Services Department. When people don’t enroll in programs, the opportunity for federally allotted funds to infuse local economies is lost. States are examining their program’s enrollment processes to streamline applying for benefits.