DHS Assistance Up 40-50% Over Last Year
The recession has hit Central Oregon like no other place in the state. Recent numbers from DHS show that food stamp applications have sky-rocketed over fifty percent.
Bend, OR
September 11, 2009
Recent numbers given to The Partnership from Pat Carey, District 10 Manager for Department of Human Services (DHS), show that the need for public assistance has skyrocketed in 2009. The numbers show that the applications for the food stamps is up over 50% year-over-year. Among the six DHS offices in District 10, Bend is affected the most with a 65% increase from 2008. This is far more than the state average of just under 40% increase for the same time period.
In addition, the caseload for Temporary Assistance for Needed Families (TANF) is up 22.4% for the district. TANF is cash assistance based on need. The Redmond DHS office is experiencing the most increase for TANF, at over 40% from last year. In this instance District 10 is equal or slightly lower than the state average.
DHS District 10 includes Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Prineville, Madras and Warm Springs. Click here for specific data on each city.