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Nutrition
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Food Assistance Programs Can Help Seniors in Need
BY JIM MILLER
(SAVVY SENIOR) Sadly, millions of older
Americans struggle with food costs.
According to a recent study by Feeding
America, 5.5 million U.S. seniors age 60
and older are food insecure. Fortunately,
several programs exist that may be able to
help. Here’s what you should know.
SNAP BENEFITS
While millions of seniors are eligible for
food stamps, fewer than 40 percent actually
take advantage of this benefit. Food stamps are
now referred to as the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or SNAP. However, your
state may use a different name.
For seniors to get SNAP, their net income
must be under the 100 percent federal pov-
erty guidelines. So, households that have
at least one-person age 60 and older, or
disabled, must have a net monthly income
less than $1,041 per month for an individual
or $1,410 for a family of two. Households
receiving TANF or SSI are also eligible.
Net income is figured by taking gross
income minus allowable deductions, includ-
ing a standard monthly deduction, medical
expenses that exceed $35 per month out-
of-pocket, and shelter expenses (rent or
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mortgage payments, taxes and utility costs)
that exceed half of the household’s income.
In addition to the net income require-
ment, a few states also require that a senior’s
assets be below $3,500, not counting their
home, retirement or pension plans, income
from SSI or TANF, and vehicle (this varies
by state). Most states, however, have much
higher asset limits, or they don’t count
assets at all when determining eligibility.
To apply, seniors or an authorized
representative will need to fill out a state
application form, which can be done at the
local SNAP office, or it can be mailed or faxed
in. In many states it can be completed online.
If a person is eligible, they will access
their benefits on a plastic card that’s used
like a debit card and accepted at most grocery
stores. The average SNAP benefit for 60-and-
older households is around $125 per month.
To learn more or apply, contact your local
SNAP office – call 800-221-5689 for contact
information or visit fns.usda.gov/snap.
OTHER PROGRAMS
In addition to SNAP, there are other
federal programs that can help low-in-
come seniors, age 60 and older, like the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
(CSFP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT • APRIL / MAY 2021
The CSFP (see fns.usda.gov/csfp) is a
program that provides supplemental food
packages to seniors with income limits at
or below the 130-percent poverty line.
The SFMNP (fns.usda.gov/sfmnp) pro-
vides seniors coupons that can be exchanged
for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’
markets, roadside stands, and community
supported agriculture programs in select
locations throughout the U.S. To be eligible,
income must fall below the 185-percent
poverty level.
Many Feeding America network food
banks also host “Senior Grocery Programs”
that provide free groceries to older adults,
no strings attached. Contact your local food
bank (see feedingamerica.org/find-your-
local-foodbank) to find out if a program is
available nearby.
In addition to the food assistance pro-
grams, there are also various financial
assistance programs that may help pay for
medications, health care, utilities, and more.
To locate these programs, and learn how to
apply for them, go to BenefitsCheckUp.org. ISI
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is
a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The
Savvy Senior” book.