Only about half the eligible residents in Montezuma County have enrolled in the food stamp program, according to a report by Hunger Free Colorado.<\/p>\n
The study looked at 64 counties to determine eligibility and enrollment for food stamps, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.<\/p>\n
In Montezuma County, 3,126 individuals are enrolled to receive SNAP benefits, which is 50 percent of those eligible, according to the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to bring that number up to national average of 75 percent enrollment,\u201d said Joel McClurg, a policy analyst with Hunger Free Colorado.<\/p>\n
To qualify, in general, an individual or family\u2019s income must be at least 130 percent of the poverty level.<\/p>\n
McClurg said Montezuma County\u2019s participation in SNAP is pretty typical for medium-size counties, and there were no major problems. But he said there is room for improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsing best practices, more public education of the program, and improving efficiencies will help,\u201d he said. \u201cThe study shows the county is missing out on up to $5 million in potential grocery sales.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Montezuma County SNAP program has seven full-time employees, each handling 450 cases, said social services director Josiah Forkner. To handle much more would require a bigger staff budget, of which 20 percent is paid for by the county and 80 percent by the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state (budget) allocation is not set up to handle a huge increase in cases, so that would need to be addressed,\u201d Forkner said. \u201cOur SNAP technicians do an amazing job keeping up with enrollment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study showed Montezuma County does well handling applicants, scoring a 90.5 percent for timely processing of qualifying enrollees. The county cost of administrating the food stamp program is $86,381 per year, according to the study.<\/p>\n
Statewide, 57 percent of those eligible are enrolled in SNAP, equalling 446,625 individuals, who generate $786 million in grocery sales.<\/p>\n
Enrollment in food stamp programs has plateaued in recent years, McClurg said. In Colorado an attitude of \u201cself-determination\u201d keeps some eligible candidates from signing up.<\/p>\n
Others might not be aware they qualify, and could use the help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we tell people is that it is something you have paid into for years; it\u2019s something we have earned to help make ends meet in tough times,\u201d McClurg said.<\/p>\n
Children in poverty especially benefit from food stamp programs, and improved nutrition reduces long-term health care problems and costs, he said.<\/p>\n