Over 100 million people in United States are now receiving some form of federal welfare

Food stamps and Medicaid make up a large - and growing - chunk of the more than 100 million recipients. Among the major means tested welfare programs, since 2000 Medicaid has increased from 34 million people to 54 million in 2011 and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) from 17 million to 45 million in 2011. Spending on food stamps alone is projected to reach $800 billion over the next decade.