Food stamps in Washoe County

• Of Washoe County residents, four percent (15,890 people) are on food stamps. Eight percent are eligible for them. About 45 percent of recipients are children under age 18. Forty-four percent are adults. Eleven percent are seniors. Most are female (57 percent). Twenty-one percent are working full- or part-time (keeping in mind that 56 percent are kids and seniors).

• Physical food “stamps” are a thing of the past. The less conspicuous EBT card, which works like a debit card, is now used.

• New computer kiosks where people can fill out a food stamp application are at select Albertson’s, Scolaris and Sac ’N’ Save stores.

• An ID is not necessary to get food stamps, but it’s helpful.

• Some legal non-citizens may be able to get food stamps, and their household members born here can.

• According to the U.S. Census, roughly 17,000 households in Washoe County were eligible for food stamp benefits in 2004 but didn’t elect to receive them.

• For every $5 spent in food stamps, $9 is generated in the economy.

Statistics come from Nevada’s Division of Welfare and Supportive Services.