Here's a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho will continue to let people with more than $2,000 in assets receive food stamps, at least through May. The Legislature's House Health and Welfare Committee reaffirmed the waiver Tuesday allowing a family of three with stocks, bonds or other assets worth more than $2,000 to continue receiving federally funded food stamps. Starting last May, the state's Department of Health and Welfare temporarily waived the asset test because it wanted to help the newly unemployed who needed food stamps but had too many assets to qualify. Spokesman Tom Shanahan says his agency has seen a steady increase in food stamp applications since September 2007. There are about 179,000 people receiving benefits now in Idaho. Shanahan told the Associated Press waiving the test means people who are trying to use their savings to pay rent or make mortgage payments can still pay for food. Those who qualify receive an average of about $130 worth of food stamps a month.

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