SPRINGFIELD -- The state continues to set records for the number of people using food stamps.

The Illinois Department of Human Services says about 16.5 percent more households used the program in August than the same month in 2008.

That translates to 713,000 households.

"It's a new record every month," said Department of Human Services spokesman Tom Green.

The increase comes as the state unemployment rate also continues to grow. But the increase isn't necessarily costing the cash-strapped state any more money. Funds for food stamps come from the federal government.

This year, the country has spent $56.1 billion on food stamps, up from $39.4 billion the year before. Jean Daniel, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the increase is just what happens during recessions.

"That's the way the program was designed," she said.

Daniel said the agency expects to spend more on food stamps next year, but the increase might not be as steep.

On the Net: www.dhs.state.il.us