number americans food stamp time high obama crow official unemployment rate much low years ago bad statistic meaningless despite unemployment rate eight-year low 4.9 percent january 2016 number people food stamp remain near all-time high 47,636,000 2013.why disparity number well unemployment rate take account people drop workforce altogether.the bureau labor statistics report january year approximately 94 million americans participate workforce.but supplemental nutrition assistance program snap hover around 46 million participants since 2011. current figure february 2016 stand 45.8 million americans receive food stamps.bloomberg business report last time unemployment rate five percent april 2008 28 million americans food stamps.several reason explain high number governments make easy sign program 85 percent eligible food-stamp recipients take assistance 2013 recent year available data compare 70 percent 2008. high sign-up rate among qualify account 8.6 million people food stamp half program total increase well least president obama put forth one program easy sign for.we country base government dependence heritage foundation research fellow robert rector say clearly group people labor force 10 years ago would rely food stamp government full enablers tell people work provide families create atmosphere dependence reliance.as big government ratchet turn ever leave ever easy spend people money instead earn number likely rise decline.read moonbattery america unemployment rate low number americans food stamp shock