Oklahoma Department of Human Services officials say requests for help will increase
BY JAY F. MARKS
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Published: May 19, 2009
Requests for help are on the rise at the state Department of Human Services.
But officials are poised to handle more inquiries from people who have lost their jobs or suffered financial setbacks.
"Don’t be afraid to come in,” said Kari McKay-Jones, a social services supervisor at a DHS office at NW 50 and May, one of six in
Oklahoma County.
"This office has grown by leaps and bounds,” director
Nancy Thompson said.
She said the center’s convenient location and friendly staff contributed to its growing caseload.
More than 1,500 people applied at that center for food benefits in April, up from about 1,100 a year ago. Thompson said the number of people applying for food stamps has risen steadily over the past two years.
Oklahoma hit a record high in April with more than 463,000 people receiving food stamps, which agency spokesman
George Johnson called a good economic indicator.
"It tells us a truer picture of what’s going on and the health of the economy,” he said.
Johnson said the number of Oklahomans receiving food stamps has increased for the past 14 months.
Benefits for people in that program rose 13.6 percent in April due to federal stimulus funds, which are expected to keep coming into next year.
"That’s going to do a lot to feed a lot of kids over the next 12 to 18 months,” Johnson said.
He said Oklahoma has not felt the full effect of the ongoing recession because of its location in the middle of the country.
Thompson expects the number of people seeking services to continue to rise.
"We see people coming in the door more desperate,” she said.
Thompson recommended checking with DHS officials to see what services are available to those with financial problems.
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