Food stamp usage up in Oklahoma

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- 28% more Oklahomans used food stamps last month compared to December 2001. <br><br>The Department of Human Services says more than 370,000 Oklahomans used food stamps last month.

Wednesday, January 29th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- 28% more Oklahomans used food stamps last month compared to December 2001.

The Department of Human Services says more than 370,000 Oklahomans used food stamps last month.

DHS Director Howard Hendrick says it's the 23rd month in a row food stamp usage has increased.

The state agency spent about $100-million more in federal funds for food stamps last year.

The program is funded 100% through federal funds. Still, the increase affects the workload of DHS staff.

DHS has cut 220 jobs in the past year. The agency was hit by a $22.3-million budget cut.