Getting food stamps can bring in hundreds of extra dollars a month, but the process could cause some emotional distress.

"Applying for the food stamp process is a really time consuming process, there's a lot of documentation required and even going to the food stamp office people are often seen on a first-come first-served bases, so the wait alone for the interview could take hours," said MU researcher Colleen Heflin.

Researcher Heflin suggests, "One innovation that many states are moving towards is using an online application system."

Online may be easier, but some people prefer the personal setting.

"Online, I want to make sure everything went through and you know the confirmation, I still would want to come in and talk to a real person," said applicant Frank Tucker.

Although researchers say applying for food stamps is emotionally draining, some people getting food stamps say the process is fairly easy.

"It was short and simple, she was real definitive about the things she needed," Tucker said.

"Whenever I went in today it was really easy, I just brought in a couple of pay stubs and showed that to the worker and she asked me a bunch of random questions," said applicant Matthew Sigmon.

Currently more than 900,000 Missourians get food stamps.