The number of Arizona families receiving food stamps has climbed by more than 20 percent in the past year as the economy grew worse.

"We have increased our food stamp participation by about 47,000 families since August of 2007," said Marco Liu with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

While the federal government made it easier to qualify, Liu believes the sour economy is responsible for most of the increase.

Based on the past year's data, Liu said it's reasonable to believe that even more people will seek assistance.

"A lot of individuals who are employed, but still eligible for benefits, are having to seek assistance because of the price of fuel and food and utilities and all the various increases," Liu said.

"It would be reasonable to believe that additional persons will seek assistance and probably qualify for assistance. It's my understanding that the economic situation is one that would continue for some undefined period of time."

Liu added, "People either lose jobs or find themselves unable to meet their day-to-day living expenses, rent and utilities, fuel prices and so forth. And they turn to DES to help with off-setting some of those costs, such as the costs of feeding their families."