The number of Americans receiving food stamps is at an all time high.

A record 41.8 million people received food stamps in July, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Agriculture Department said recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program subsidies for food sales increased 18 percent from a year earlier and increased 1.4 percent from June.

September's high unemployment rate is to blame. According to a Bloomberg News survey, unemployment reached 9.7 percent -- near levels that have not been seen since 1983.

Participation in the food stamp program has now set a record for 20 months straight.

The White House predicts that since the start of October, one eighth of the population - or an average of 43.3 million people - will receive them each month.