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Washington, DC – U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) today introduced legislation that would help unemployed people feed their families.

While some signs of economic recovery have been seen in Wisconsin and throughout the nation, many people still have difficulty finding work.  This is especially true for those who have been unemployed for many months.  Many of these individuals need the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – or food stamps – to feed their families.  Before passage of the Recovery Act, unemployed individuals could only receive SNAP food stamps for up to three months.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law last year, allowed unemployed low-income individuals to receive SNAP benefits all year. 

Congresswoman Moore said, “Our commitment to helping people get through this recession shouldn’t end until the recession does.  While our economy is showing signs of growth, many have yet to feel it personally.  My bill helps ensure that those trying to make it can buy food.”

Recognizing that there is still a long road ahead to a full and robust recovery, Moore’s legislation would extend the Recovery Act provision by another year.

In Milwaukee County, there are just over 34,000 unemployed people who rely on food stamps to feed their families.  Statewide, nearly 80,000 unemployed Wisconsinites need this help.  And it is estimated that without food stamps 6 million unemployed Americans would otherwise not be able to buy food.