West Central Reporter

Welfare offices in Beardstown, Jacksonville and Macomb saw food stamp costs drop by an average of 5.2 percent from January 2015 to January 2017, according to a West Central Reporter analysis of 66 Illinois welfare offices.

The cost of food stamp participation dropped by nearly $30 million as 156,653 people left food stamp rolls in Illinois counties over two years, according to data obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

Illinois welfare offices are operated by the Illinois Department of Human Services, formerly known as the Illinois Department of Public Aid. 

The welfare office in Beardstown reported its costs were down by $53,622, a 14.78 percent change over the two-year period. The welfare office in Jacksonville reported a cost decline of $29,171, a 3.39 percent change, and Macomb saw lower costs to the tune of $6,490, or 1.31 percent, over the same period.

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Cost changes for food stamp program in West Central Illinois

Welfare Office	County	Change in participation	Cost January 2015	Cost January 2017	Change in cost ($)	Change in cost (%)
Beardstown	Cass	-5.60%	$362,868	$309,246	-$53,622	-14.78%
Jacksonville	Morgan	2.42%	$859,568	$830,397	-$29,171	-3.39%
Macomb	McDonough	-1.22%	$493,672	$487,182	-$6,490	-1.31%

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture