“Lots of Western students receive food stamps – more than you think,” said Anjali Englund, project manager at the Bellingham Opportunities Council.

Most students do not think they are eligible for food stamps, but any student who receives state or federal work study can apply, she said.

Since 1962, the federal Food Stamp Program has helped people on low incomes to buy food.

People receive from $16 to $200 per month.

The average Western Washington U. student spent about $8,400 per year on room and board in 2009-10, according to Western’s Financial Aid office.

After students apply and are approved they receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer card in the mail. The EBT card works like a debit card. When  customers pay for food at the cash register, they just select “EBT” and swipe the cards, Englund said.

In the past decade, the Basic Food Program switched from using actual “stamps” to a card. This reduces the stigma of food stamps and helps recipients keep track of money, Englund said.

Each month the card is stocked with a certain amount of money to use for food. The amount a person receives is determined by a ratio of expenses to income.

If a person has not used all the money on the card at the end of the month, the money rolls over to the next month.

Prepared food, alcohol and non-food items cannot be purchased with money from the card.

Every $5 in new food stamps generates $9.20 in the community economy according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture fact sheet.

“If you are not sure if you’re eligible, just try,” Englund said. “It doesn’t hurt.”