In January 2008, around 27 million people received food stamps. In June 2013, that number was more than 46 million.
It is estimated that each food stamp recipient receives an average of $133 in benefits per month. This comes out to about $1.48 per meal.
The two greatest increases in food stamp recipients during the last three years occurred after two natural disasters: Hurricane Isaac in 2011 and the Alabama tornadoes in 2013.
Two-thirds of Americans who receive food stamps live in households with children, the elderly or the disabled.
According to reports, an estimated 900,000 veterans receive monthly food stamp benefits. One study claims that 133,000 veterans would lose benefits if the current House bill were to become law.
