Food stamp cases and outlays have increased sharply in Nevada County during the past four fiscal years, with reasons ranging from more outreach to the economic slump.

Annual caseloads jumped 77 percent from 2002-2003 to 2006-2007, from 8,295 to 14,673, according to figures reviewed by The Union. Monetary outlay in federal food stamp dollars to county recipients went from $1.7 million to $3.1 million, a more than 80 percent jump.

The increase stems from better outreach by county offiicials and a procedural change in 2004 that made it easier for people to get food stamps, according to county Social Services Director Alison Lehman.

She does not think an influx of people is coming to the county who are eligible for food stamps. "My instincts tell me if you're low income, it's hard to find a job here," Lehman said.

The country's economic downturn could be responsible for some of the more recent increases in food stamp use, but the figures show the increase began in fiscal year 2003-2004, when the economy still was in sound shape.

U.S. Census Bureau estimated figures for January show the county ranked as the sixth most affluent in the state, with only 7.5 percent of the residents living below the poverty level. Only Napa, El Dorado, San Mateo, Marin and Placer counties have lower numbers.

The county's median family income of $64,700, partly due to well-off retirees, could mask the number of working people who are eligible for the programs. Many workers complain about low hourly wages in the area, and some struggle to make ends meet.

"We have not spent a lot of staff time analyzing why caseload is going up" for food stamps, said county Health and Human Services program manager Cynthia Bryan, citing the amount of client work the department has to keep up with.

Lehman said the increases are likely reflective of the slight increase in population from 93,000 to 97,000 last year, according to Census figures. A larger reason was a 2004 change in regulations that allowed many cash aid recipients to switch to food stamps without having to go through a lengthy application process, Lehman said.

The increase showed up after the process was completed in 2004-2005, when 10,749 cases were reported, to 13,405 in 2005-2006, a 25 percent jump.

The payouts for the food stamp program come from federal coffers. The county pays for only a small amount of the total administrative costs, and the expense is capped.

"We've also put an emphasis on accessibility to the county departments," Lehman said.

Staff presence in North San Juan and Washington has helped food stamp numbers swell and outreach to food banks, the Hospitality House for the homeless and the Progress House for recovering addicts has done the same.

"Last year, we implemented video eligibility," Lehman said, where possible food stamp recipients can link to county social workers "as if they walked into our own lobby."

The video linkups are offered at Community Resource and Recovery, the county's Behavioral Health Department, and in Truckee, Lehman said. Plans are afoot to link the Sierra Family Medical Clinic on the San Juan Ridge and the Miners Family Health Center in Grass Valley.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.