Vermont’s Food Stamp eligibility rules will be changing Jan. 1, making 14,000 more households eligible for benefits.
Now, about 80 percent of the 68,000 Vermonters eligible for food stamp benefits receive them.
Since 2007 the number of households receiving Food Stamp benefits has increased by about 3,000.
Renee Richardson of Vermont’s Food and Nutrition Program says state officials are working to inform people of the eligibility changes. And officials are working to let people know about the program.
She says the purpose of the program is to help lower-income families and children eat a more nutritious diet.