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ByMARKSCOLFORO
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
The recession is making its mark in Rappahannock County, if applications for Food Stamps, Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and jobless benefits are any indication.
The Rappahannock Department of Social Services, which had been running 100 cases of Food Stamp recipients prior to the recession (and that number would even drop to about 80 during the summer) currently has a caseload of 144, according to Social Services Director Bev Bowen.
“Normally the toughest season is yet to come. That’s January and February,” said Ms. Bowen.
The “normal” caseload for AFDC benefits is about 12-15. About eight months ago, after a steady increase, the number of AFDC cases levelled off at 35.
Rappahannock Social Services is paying out $21,000 a month in Food Stamps and $6,400 a month in AFDC, said Ms. Bowen. But families still aren’t making it.
“A typical AFDC mother and one child get about $205 a month,” said Ms. Bowen. “When you consider what that’s supposed to do, there’s no way you can do it. It won’t pay rent, for instance. What about transportation? What about utilities?”
The Virginia Employment Commission’s latest report, covering October figures, shows 282 people from Rappahannock out of work, a 7.8
93.3%