Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Public Assistance in Westbrook: December 2008, Part Two

According to a Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report, Westbrook had 1,361 cases of Food Stamps (FS) in December 2008. The total cost for these benefits was $317,380.

For historical context, there were 1,256 cases in December 2007, and the total cost was $236,443. In December 2006, there were 1,110 cases of FS (described by the DHHS as a program which provides food stamps to help low-income families buy food for good health) in Westbrook, and the program cost $205,629. And in December 2005, Westbrook had 1,162 FS cases, and the cost for the program was $204,543.

And for geographical context, South Portland (estimated 2006 population: 23,784) had 1,250 cases of FS in December 2008, and the cost of the program was $282,118. Windham (estimated 2006 population: 16,546) had 702 cases, and the cost was $158,628.

Westbrook's estimated 2006 population was 16,201.

For a list of monthly DHHS Geographic and Distbribution of Programs and Benefits reports dating back to January 2005, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

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