FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
(specific to older adults)
The Food Stamp Program is the primary, federal nutrition assistance
program for low-income New Yorkers. Always available to eligible
seniors, the Food Stamp Program provides monthly benefits for older
adults to buy the groceries they want at local stores. As an entitlement
program, any household who meets program guidelines for eligibility
will receive food stamps. Regrettably, estimates show that only
one in four eligible seniors in upstate New York and only half of
the seniors eligible in NYC are enrolled in the Food Stamp Program.
The reasons why eligible seniors do not participate in the Food
Stamp Program include:
If we are to help low-income, older New Yorker’s to maintain
their health and independence, we must educate them and the people
who provide services to them about who
is eligible and how to get food stamps.
The Nutrition Consortium of NYS encourages community agencies that
work with seniors to assist them in understanding the facts about
the premier senior nutrition assistance program, food stamps. Seniors
need to understand that food stamps are a federal entitlement program,
like Social Security or Medicare, which helps families stretch their
food budgets. And unlike Medicaid, the Food Stamp Program is 100%
federally funded and does not require matched funding from local
counties. In addition, it is worthy to note that studies have shown
that for every dollar we invest in food stamps, $3.25 is saved in
health care costs. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports
that for every
$5 in new food stamp benefits generates $9.20 in total community
spending.
For seniors, eligibility guidelines
for the Food Stamp Program are also different and in fact, more
generous for people over age 60. For example, there are no gross
income limits, monthly medical
expenses over $35 are deducted, and older adults are allowed
to have up to $3,000 in cash resources.
These differences exist because of the unique challenges that older
adults face.
Food Stamps are no longer given in the form of paper coupons. Instead,
a plastic benefit card is issued to participants and is used at
the check out counter just like a bank ATM card. The new system
is referred to as EBT-Electronic Benefit Transfer and can be used
confidentially at any grocery store or convenient mart that accepts
food stamps and carries a QUEST logo.
People apply for food stamps through their local
Department of Social Services. The Nutrition
Consortium’s Nutrition Outreach and Education Projects
located in many upstate counties and throughout NYC, help people
estimate if they are eligible and how much food stamp benefits they
may receive before they decide to apply. In many counties, people
may either mail or fax in their application instead of going in
person to submit it. And for many older or disabled adults who are
unable to get to the local office, a telephone interview can be
arranged in place of the face-to-face interview with a caseworker.
[Back to Senior Nutrition
Assistance page]
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