A new study found that 700 Amazon employees in Ohio are on food stamps
It’s likely most of those receiving the benefits are part-time workers at Amazon’s large warehouses in Columbus
By Dennis Green
As Amazon grows, so does its impact on local economies.
A new study by Policy Matters Ohio — a non-profit policy research organisation focused on issues that impact low-income residents — found that as of August, more than 700 Amazon employees that live in Ohio also draw benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP), or the modern-day equivalent of food stamps.
That means that about 10 per cent of all Amazon’s employees in the state are in the programme. It also means that Amazon has quickly risen in the rankings of the biggest employers with workers on SNAP.
“The sudden emergence of Amazon as an employer of so many who need that assistance raises a question: Why is this giant, successful company offering such limited pay and hours of work that many of its workers need help buying food?” Policy Matters research director Zach Schiller said in a release.
Though this number includes both full-time and part-time workers, Policy Matters figures it’s likely mostly part-time workers. The largest source is likely two fulfilment centres in the Cleveland, Ohio area.