SNAP Benefits for Seniors: 7 Key Food Assistance Program Facts

SNAP keeps seniors healthy and reduces medical costs

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.

The program is especially important in helping low-income older adults afford nutritious food so they can stay as healthy as possible.

With financial assistance, seniors won’t be forced to make dangerous trade-offs like skipping meals or skipping medication.

In an article from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), they share key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors and explain how to find out if your older adult is eligible and how to apply.

We highlight the essential points from their 7 tips to help seniors take full advantage of SNAP benefits.

7 key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors

1. Few seniors participate in SNAP

Only 2 out of 5 eligible adults over age 60 are enrolled in SNAP.

That means 3 out of 5 seniors who qualify are missing out on benefits.

2. The average SNAP benefit for seniors is $118/month

A common myth about SNAP is that it only gives $23 worth of benefits per month.

Don’t assume that's all your older adult could get.

Yes, $23 is the minimum monthly benefit. But 80% of senior SNAP participants receive more than the minimum.

The latest numbers show that the average monthly benefit for an older adult living alone was $118 per month. That’s a significant savings in food costs.

On top of that, many seniors are able to increase their monthly SNAP benefit by taking advantage of deductions for other expenses.

Check the SNAP Frequently Asked Questions page to find out the amount of assets and resources allowed for qualification and what deductions are allowed.

3. Many seniors who qualify for the excess medical expense deduction don’t use it

Currently only 16% of older adults use the medical expense deduction. But many more SNAP-eligible seniors could qualify.

If your older adult spends more than $35 a month on out-of-pocket medical costs, they might be able to deduct that from their gross income when applying for SNAP.

That would increase their monthly benefit amount. Learn how this deduction works in the NCOA fact sheet.

4. Many senior SNAP participants experience isolation

About 85% of older adults who get SNAP benefits live alone.

More than half have little to no income and live on general assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other benefits.

For these seniors, getting an average of $1,416 in SNAP benefits can mean the difference between having food and going hungry.

5. SNAP helps the local economy

When SNAP benefits are spent at local stores, it brings money into the community – research found that every $1 in additional SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in local economic activity.

Plus, additional $1 billion in SNAP benefits would generate 8,900 full-time jobs.

So your older adult would actually be helping their city by participating in SNAP – a win-win situation.

6. Access to SNAP can reduce health care costs

When older adults are in debt, they have to make trade-offs that are likely to damage their health.

That could mean resorting to skipping meals or reducing medication doses.

A study of 60,000 low-income Maryland seniors found that SNAP participants are 23% less likely to enter a nursing home and 4% less likely to be hospitalized in the year after receiving SNAP.

Participating in SNAP was also linked to lower overall health care expenses and Medicaid/Medicare costs.

7. All the information needed to apply for SNAP can be found in one place

Use the NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp simple online screening tool to find benefits programs (including SNAP) that match your older adult's needs. Just enter their zip code to get started.

Next Step  Visit BenefitsCheckUp or see the full article at NCOA

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• How Medicaid Spend Down Helps Seniors Qualify for Long Term Care Benefits

By DailyCaring Editorial Team

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About the Author

Connie Chow

Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.