(Thumbnail image: Connect Amarillo)

These days food stamps aren't just for those on welfare. With a struggling economy, many Americans are relying on government assistance to survive. One woman told Voice of America she never thought she'd be in this position. 

"Here I am this Ivy League educated, middle-aged person, I should have my act together far more to be in a situation like this, but you know when times are tough, I just grabbed it." 

And she's not the only one. New government data shows one in eight Americans now rely on food stamps. 

But ABSCBN says low income senior citizens are the most vulnerable. Yet the new food stamp program should help out.

"The food stamp program already provides healthy food for about 40 million people every month and now the Obama administration is providing $8 million to expand the food stamp program for low-income seniors."

But a critic from the Union Leader says the additional government spending and a new poverty measure will increase the number of people considered poor in America. 

"It is clear President Obama is intent on not only continuing the failed war on poverty but expanding and growing the size of the welfare state. His 2011 budget will increase spending on welfare programs by 42 percent over President Bush's last year in office."

But in Tennessee the demand is so high the state hired former food stamp recipients to pick up the slack. Angelic Smith, who was on food stamps just last year, tells WPLN, applicants feel more comfortable speaking with someone who can relate. 

SMITH: “I let them know, I’ve been where you’ve been. And it could happen to me again at any time, so I understand. If you put just a little bit of emotion in it, they feel like you care.”

Tennessee is not the only state making the transition easier. Chicago farmer's markets are providing healthy options for food stamp users. 

"Local, independent farmer's markets started doing this last year, and now city run markets are jumping on board as well. Electronic balance transfer machines will accept the link card used by the food stamps program at five markets." (Chicago Tribune)

According to the Associated Press nearly 12 million people have enrolled in the food stamp program within the past two years.  

Writer: Veronica Wells