The number of New Yorkers receiving food stamps has increased dramatically under Mayor Bloomberg thanks to a reversal of Giuliani administration policies that lowered enrollment, a report by the Independent Budget Office says.

The number of city residents receiving food stamps peaked at about 1.5 million in 1994, according to the IBO, but dropped to just 798,000 by the end of Mayor Giuliani’s second term as stricter screening measures and work requirements lowered enrollment. Under Mr. Bloomberg, policies were changed to more actively encourage eligible residents to apply for food stamps, which, along with a sudden loss of jobs after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, boosted the food stamp caseload to 1.1 million by 2004, roughly what it is today. In some cases the changes were made against the mayor’s will. The City Council enacted legislation over a mayoral veto in 2005 that allowed New Yorkers to apply for food stamps online and by fax, and required applications to be made available in city-funded soup kitchens.

The report says that while enrollment has hit a plateau, only 61% of eligible participants statewide currently receive food stamps, meaning that between 400,000 and 700,000 state residents who qualify for help are not enrolled.