32.2 million people, about 1 in 10 Americans, are now on food stamps according to the latest government report. The number is a new record.

The average food stamp benefit was $112.82 per person in January, and food stamp enrollment is growing in nearly every state.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in February, the highest in 25 years. Weekly claims for jobless benefits totaled 669,000 last week, the highest in 26 years, the government said on Thursday.

Food stamp enrollment rose in all but four of the 50 states during January, said Agriculture Department figures. Vermont, Alaska and South Dakota had increases of more than 5 percent.

Food stamp list swells to record 32.2 million [Reuters]
(Photo:clementine gallot)

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