By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Economic conditions are having dramatic effects on families from all socio-economic backgrounds. Escambia County residents are no exception.
Lynn Barnes, director of the Escambia County Department of Human Resources, said the number of families applying for food stamp assistance is rising - especially during the last quarter of this year.
Over the past year, Barnes said the number of applications for food stamp assistance has risen by more than 300.
Barnes said the department has issued more than $850,000 in food stamp benefits in November alone.
Barnes said the increase in food stamp applications has brought attention to the diversity of those making pleas for assistance.
With the increase of applications in the food stamp division of her office, Barnes said the strain on employees is also increasing.
The application process is based on gross income for the household, Barnes said. The benefits are awarded based on those figures as well as the number of individuals in the household.