Nearly 870,000 Kentuckians will see a decrease in their food stamp benefits as federal recovery dollars dry up.As of next month, eligible Kentucky households will experience on average a 5.5 percent reduction in food stamps.The effects on those families ranges from about $20 to $36 per month, depending upon household size, said Mark Cornett, deputy commissioner in the Health and Family Services Cabinet.Congress continues to wrestle with the Farm Bill that contains future funding for the program, he says. Cornett adds that efforts to revise entitlements could further effect the food stamp program.“There’s so many different versions out there that reduce benefits, that put extra eligibility requirements in the eligibility process,” Cornett says.Cornett says there are also ongoing discussions about what grocery items can be paid for with food stamps.“There’s been some debate about only being able to purchase healthy foods, but again that’s a federal issue. That would take an act of Congress to change what is an eligible food item. I’ve not seen anything yet to change that,” Cornett says.The reduction in food stamps comes after the expiration of federal stimulus dollars.
