US families turn to food stamps as wages drop

By Sarah O’Connor in Washington

Published: September 4 2009 20:10
Last updated: September 4 2009 20:47

The number of working Americans turning to free government food stamps has surged as their hours and wages erode, in a stark sign that the recession is inflicting pain on the employed as well as the newly jobless.

While the increase in take-up is often attributed to the sharp rise in unemployment – which on Friday hit 9.7 per cent – the Financial Times has learnt that some 40 per cent of the families now on food stamps have “earned incomeâ€