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Food stamp program suspends asset test Idaho Press-Tribune Staff newsroom@idahopress.com

BOISE — The Idaho Food Stamp Program announced Thursday that as of this month it will drop its asset test for eligibility to help residents who struggle with current economic conditions.

Previously, most residents were not eligible for food assistance if they had more than $2,000 in assets, which most commonly consists of savings accounts or vehicles such as boats or RVs. The new policy will be in effect until June 1, 2010.

By temporarily dropping the asset test, the state joins 22 others that have taken similar action.

"There are many families who suffered a recent job loss who meet the income eligibility criteria for Food Stamp assistance, but have some assets," Russ Barron, Idaho administrator of the division of welfare, said. "The problem is, they cannot sell that boat or RV — there is no market for it."

State leaders first considered raising the asset amount above $2,000. However, officials said administrative costs would have soared as the state would need many additional eligibility workers to verify asset amounts.

"People seeking food assistance today are some of our most responsible citizens — they have always worked hard, paid taxes and helped other people in their time of need," Health and Welfare director Richard Armstrong said. "It is now our time to help them as they search for work and struggle to keep a roof over their families' heads."

The program offers food assistance to people who earn 130 percent or less of the federal poverty limit. For a family of four, this amounts to about $2,300 of monthly income. Officials said about 4 percent of food stamp applicants met the income eligibility guidelines but were denied assistance because of the asset limit.

In recent months, the Idaho Food Stamp Program has seen record growth, serving about 140,000 people in April — up 36 percent from the previous year.