CBO: U.S. to spend 27 percent more on food stamps in 2009.

WASHINGTON -- The recession will drive the cost of the U.S. food stamp program, now called SNAP, which helps poor people buy food, to $50 billion this year, up 27 percent from 2008, congressional forecasters said in January.

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SNAP spending is expected to rise during this economic slowdown because more people apply for help. The Congressional Budget Office projected higher unemployment rates for the next few years, although economic recovery would begin in 2010.

Some 31 million Americans receive SNAP benefits at latest count, down slightly from the record 31.6 million in September 2008. The average benefit was $119 a month per person and $266 per household.

The U.S. unemployment was 6.7 percent at latest count. Analysts expected the December rate to hit 7 percent.

The CBO forecast outlays for SNAP would rise to $50 billion this year from $39 billion last year, due to higher enrollment and rising food prices. Jobless benefits would total $79 billion, up from $43 billion.

Over the next decade, SNAP would cost an additional $86 billion and unemployment compensation an additional $54 billion than forecast in September 2008.