Food Assistance Programs

There are several food assistance programs that can help low-income individuals with their grocery costs. However, what is available to your parent will depend on their income level. Here is what you should know.

SNAP Benefits

The largest hunger safety net program in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. Your state may use a different name for their version of SNAP. While there are millions of people who are eligible for SNAP, only approximately 40% or 4.8 million take advantage of this benefit.

For older adults to qualify for SNAP, their net income must be under 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households that have at least one person aged 60 and older, or who are disabled, must have a net monthly income less than $1,255 per month for an individual or $1,704 for a family of two. These amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are also eligible.

Net income is calculated by subtracting allowable deductions from gross income. Allowable deductions include a standard monthly deduction, out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed $35 per month, rent or mortgage payments, utility costs, taxes and other eligible expenses.

In addition to the net income requirement, some states also require that a senior’s assets be below $4,500, excluding home, personal property and retirement savings. In some instances, vehicles are also excluded although the rules vary by state. Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or they do not count assets at all when determining eligibility.

To apply for SNAP benefits, complete a state application form, which can be done by mail, by phone, or online, depending on your parent’s state of residence.

If eligible, your parent’s benefits will be provided on a plastic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that is used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The average SNAP benefit for 60-and-older households is around $105 per month.

To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office by visiting fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory or calling 800-221-5689.

Other Programs

In addition to SNAP, there are other food assistance programs that can help lower-income individuals like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

The CSFP is a program that provides supplemental food packages to those with income limits at or below the 150% poverty line. The SFMNP offers 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, your parent’s income must be below the 185% poverty level. To learn more about these programs and find out if they are available in your parent’s area, visit fns.usda.gov/programs.

There are also many Feeding America member food banks that host grocery programs that provide free food boxes to older adults. Contact your local food bank to find out if a program is available nearby.

In addition to food assistance programs, there are also various financial assistance programs that may help your parent pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, and learn how to apply for them, go to BenefitsCheckUp.org.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.