Friday, February 20, 2009

Public Assistance in Westbrook: January 2009, Part Two

According to a Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report, Westbrook had 1,375 cases of Food Stamps (FS) in January 2009. The total cost for these benefits was $314,567.

For historical context, there were 1,264 cases in January 2008, and the total cost was $237,368. In January 2007, 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 $207,411. And in January 2006, Westbrook had 1,164 FS cases, and the cost for the program was $201,383.

And for geographical context, South Portland (estimated 2006 population: 23,784) had 1,260 cases of FS in January 2009, and the cost of the program was $275,356. Windham (estimated 2006 population: 16,546) had 728 cases, and the cost was $161,464.

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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