SNAP Program Provides NYC Seniors With Monthly Food Benefits But the Program is Underutilized

Content powered by New York for Seniors

Hunger among the nation’s seniors is a growing concern. Yet the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is under-utilized by older persons. Formerly known as Food Stamps, SNAP provides monthly benefits for low-income people of all ages to buy groceries of their choice at participating food stores and farmers markets.

Nationwide, senior citizens have a lower sign-up rate for SNAP benefits than any other age group. Only a third of eligible seniors take part in the program according to data from the National Council on Aging. In NYC, less than half of eligible seniors receive help from SNAP. As many as 500.000 older New Yorkers go hungry each month for lack of money to buy groceries, despite the existence of a safety net program that could put food on their tables.

According to the NYC Dept of the Aging website, eligibility requirements for SNAP are more generous for senior citizens and disabled persons than for others. Individuals 65 and older who are living alone with a net monthly income of $1,915 can receive benefits. A two-person household with an elderly or disabled person and an annual income of $31,020 also qualifies for benefits. In addition, applicants can claim a number of exemptions that can increase the amount they receive, e.g. medical expenses in excess of $35 a month. Unfortunately, many potential applicants believe that they will only qualify for the minimum amount of $16 per month. In fact, according to the website Hunger Solutions, the average monthly SNAP benefit for households with an older adult in New York City is $180 a month.

There are a number of reasons why seniors don’t apply for SNAP, according to an AARP Foundation report. It appears that many eligible seniors don’t even know that the program exists. Among those who know about it, some are too embarrassed or too proud to apply, while others think that if they receive SNAP they will take food benefits away from others, especially children. The misperception that the application process is too difficult also contributes to its under-utilization.

Here is a list of organizations that are deemd “SNAP Outreach Providers”, and they will walk you through the process of getting SNAP.  Most seniors qualify for SNAP so please contact one of the organizations below to get started.