Vermonters stuck choosing between paying rent or putting food on the table, are finding food stamp benefits an added safety net.  Still, even with this huge increase, there are still a lot of people an estimated 32% who don't know they're eligible.

"Low income and some lower-middle income families are in economic crisis right now," Renee Richardson, Director of the state's food and nutrition programs, said.

This year 60 million in federal funds could go to issuing Vermont food stamps.  Richardson says enrollment is soaring.  The food stamp even has a new look, similiar to that of a credit card.

"If you get $50 or $100 in food stamp benefits, that's real money that's cash in hand," Richardson said.  "That means it's $50 to put in your gas tank to get back and forth to work."

It may stretch a dollar, but sometimes food stamps aren't enough.  Competing with soaring grocery prices, sometimes the benefits may only last half the month.  It forces people to turn to the next best thing:  local charitiable food shelves.

"Currently we're seeing more than 120% more requests for emergency food assistance," Douglas O'Brien of the Vermont Food Bank said.  It's ability to keep pantries across the state stocked is facing serious hurdles with transportation costs.

"We're looking at every opportunity to get more food in so no one is turned away," O'Brien said.

Fortunately it hasn't been an issue so far.  Vermont encourages more people to apply to the food stamp program because it acts as it's own economic stimulus package.  Each stamp boosts the state's economy by $0.84.  If 60 million are issued - it's $110 million extra in state revenue.

To find our if you're eligible for the food stamp program, click here.