South Central Reporter

Welfare offices in Centralia, Taylorville, Hillsboro and Carlinville saw food stamp costs drop by an average of 6.7 percent from January 2015 to January 2017, according to a South Central Reporter 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 Centralia reported its costs were down by $170,215, an 8.45 percent change over the two-year period. The welfare office in Taylorville recorded a cost decline of $68,050, an 8.29 percent change, and Hillsboro saw lower costs to the tune of $29,679. The Carlinville office saw its food stamps dip by $30,421 over the same period.

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Cost changes for food stamp program in South Central Illinois

Welfare Office	County	Change in participation	Cost January 2015	Cost January 2017	Change in cost ($)	Change in cost (%)
Centralia	Marion	-4.98%	$2,013,230	$1,843,015	-$170,215	-8.45%
Taylorville	Christian	-1.02%	$820,999	$752,949	-$68,050	-8.29%
Hillsboro	Montgomery	-5.25%	$782,091	$752,412	-$29,679	-3.79%
Carlinville	Macoupin	0.81%	$839,065	$808,644	-$30,421	-3.63%

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture