West Cook News

An analysis of data by the West Cook News found 8.66 percent of people in Hillside were receiving food stamps as of April 30.

Hillside is in ZIP code 60162, which includes a total of 8,513 people. Of that number, 1,301 (15.28 percent) were receiving food stamps as of April 30, down from 1,428 (16.77 percent) in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the food-stamp program, also known as SNAP, for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

DHS said a family of four earning $40,020 per year receives $649 per month.

A family of six earning $53,748 per year receives $925 per month.

An individual earning $19,428 receives $194 per month. A childless couple earning $26,292 receives $357.

Approximately 16 percent of Illinois residents currently receive food stamps.

Nationally, 46.5 million Americans receive food stamps, or 15 percent of the U.S. population and 20 percent of U.S. households.

In contrast, in 2000, 17.2 million Americans (6 percent) received food stamps. In 2008, that number was 28.2 million (9.3 percent).

In 1969, 2.878 million Americans received food stamps, or just 0.014 percent of the U.S. population.