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Pixabay.com
The welfare office in Chester saw food stamp costs rise by 1.76 percent from January 2015 to January 2017, according to a Southwest Illinois News 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 Chester reported its costs were up by $12,556 over the two-year period. The office also recorded a 4.38 percent increase in the participation rate for the same period.
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Cost changes for food stamp program in Southwest Illinois
| Welfare Office | County | Change in participation | Cost January 2015 | Cost January 2017 | Change in cost ($) | Change in cost (%) |
| Chester | Randolph | 4.38% | $712,031 | $724,587 | $12,556 | 1.76% |
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