Q: Are a Lot of Eligible Elders Not Getting Food Stamps?

Eldercare Q&A January, 2018 Closing the Food Stamp “SNAP Gap” Q: Are a lot of eligible elders not getting food stamps? A. Yes. More than 40% of the low-income minimum benefit amount. Approximately 402,526 SNAP beneficiaries will see a small elders eligible for the federal Supplemental change in their SNAP benefits, even though Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), they had no change in their income or commonly known as “food stamps,” are not expenses. on the program. SNAP advocates in Massachusetts SNAP provides food and nutritional have been working hard to close the “SNAP benefits to one out of every nine people in Gap,” which is the number of people who Massachusetts, including elders, and people are eligible for SNAP—but are not on the with disabilities. A recent study by Mass program. Over 150,000 adults in General Hospital found that participation in Massachusetts age 60+ receives SNAP,. SNAP reduced annual health care costs by which is roughly 10% of the elderly $1,400 per person per year. Seniors with population. Nearly half (48%) of poor nutrition are at greater risk for health Massachusetts SNAP households include conditions like chronic heart disease, members who are elderly, or have severe depression, diabetes, and asthma. Another disabilities. study showed that access to SNAP benefits But according to the Massachusetts reduces the likelihood of admission to a Law Reform Institute and confirmed by a nursing home by 23%. data match conducted by the Baker The SNAP program is also good for Administration, in 2016 there was a “SNAP our Massachusetts economy. The $1.2 Gap” of over 600,000 people who were on billion in SNAP benefits spent annually at Medicaid, with income under 150% FPL grocery stores, super markets, and farmers but not on SNAP---including 106,000 older markets throughout the Commonwealth – adults. So there are almost as many eligible creates an economic stimulus of around $2 older people not enrolled, as there are billion into the local economy. getting SNAP benefits. The majority Many An additional $1 billion in SNAP of these elders--most have with incomes spending would generate 8,900 full-time below the 100% of the federal poverty level. jobs. (FPL),and few if any assets. Each October, the federal Under federal rules, elderly or government makes adjustments to SNAP disabled people can claim out-of-pocket benefits. This year SNAP benefit levels medical expenses as a deduction to raise were slightly reduced due to the drop in the their SNAP benefit—but the majority of consumer price index for food costs. The 86% of elder and disabled SNAP recipients minimum benefit for one person decreased in the Commonwealth who qualify for this from $16 to $15, and the . The maximum medical deduction don’t use it. IFor benefit for one person fell from $194 to example, in addition to insurance and any $192. This will largely impact hospital or doctorMD costs, they can claim elderly/disabled households who receive the out-of-pocket medical costs such aslike If you want to appeal a SNAP decision, or vitamins, eye glasses, hearing aids, over the apply online at https://www.mass.gov/how- counter” medicine chest” items, as well to/apply-for-snap-benefits-food-stamps. asand mileage from driving to doctors and Individauls denied SNAP have the right to pharmacies. Elders can also use private or challenge that denial. lLocal Legal Services public housing costs, utility costs, and offices may be able to provide advice or dependent care costs to raise their SNAP representation. Go to benefits. http://www.masslegalhelp.org/ To find out how to apply for SNAP benefits, call the state Department of Transitional Assistance at 1-877-382-2363,