Welfare rolls drop in Nevada

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 9:21 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The number of welfare recipients in Nevada fell to 30,082 in February, the lowest point in more than a year.

That is still 55 percent higher than the prediction made by the 2001 Legislature, and the state spent $1 million more than was budgeted in February to support these needy families, Gov. Kenny Guinn said Thursday.

Tami Dufresne, coordinator for research and statistics in the state Welfare Division, said public assistance cases are at their lowest point since November 2001.

But the number of Medicaid and food stamp recipients are continuing to grow, she said.

Medicaid numbers grew to 164,354 people in February, an increase of 1 percent over the previous month. That is the second highest number in the last 13 months. For every 1,000 Nevada residents, 72 are receiving Medicaid.

The number of food stamp recipients reached 107,363 in January, an all-time high and a 1.2 percent increase over December. That means 46 of every 1,000 Nevadans are currently receiving food stamps.

Guinn said cash grants to people on welfare this fiscal year are expected to be nearly $15 million above what was budgeted.