Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series: Part One: Why SNAP is ...€¦ · – few supports other than SNAP...

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Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 © 2014 National Council on Aging

Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series: Part One: Why SNAP is Important for Seniors

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Online: www.readytalk.com, passcode:4796976 Audio: 866.740.1260, passcode:4796976

http://www.readytalk.com/

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What We’ll Cover Today

Why SNAP is important for seniors from an economic security perspective

The background, history, and current state of SNAP Challenges and opportunities Q&A

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Speakers

Ty Jones, Senior Policy Analyst, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP)

Lura Barber, Senior Program Manager, Hunger Initiatives, National Council on Aging (NCOA)

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NCOA - National Council on Aging NCOA is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization

representing older adults and the community organizations that serve them.

Our mission is to improve the health and economic security of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged by: • Providing innovative services that significantly increase income and/or reduce

expenses for low-income seniors. • Promoting proven, cost-effective programs that improve that health of older

adults. • Serving as a national voice and advocate for public policies, business

practices, and societal attitudes that improve the lives of older adults. • Bringing together business, government, and nonprofits to collaborate

nationally and locally to achieve these goals.

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CBPP - Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

CBPP is one of the nation’s premier policy organizations working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

CBPP conducts research and analysis to shape public debates over proposed budget and tax policies and to ensure that policymakers consider the needs of low-income families and individuals in these debates.

One area of work for the center is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. • For example, by designing and promoting state options to simplify

and streamline food stamp procedures and thereby boost participation among working-poor families

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Seniors in Economic Distress One-third of seniors are economically insecure Consumers over age 50+ carried $8,278 in average credit card

debt Older adults are the most likely to be unemployed for 99 weeks or

longer Homeowners age 50+ represented 28% of all foreclosures and

delinquencies. More than half of seniors are very or somewhat concerned about

whether their savings and income will be sufficient to last the rest of their life. SNAP helps seniors make ends meet and buy the food they need

to stay healthy.

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Cost of Making Ends Meet

Wider Opportunities for Women: www.wowonline.org or www.basiceconomicsecurity.org

http://www.wowonline.org/

http://www.basiceconomicsecurity.org/

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Hunger, Health, and Economic Security

Hunger is a symptom of economic insecurity Senior hunger has doubled since 2001 as a result of increased

numbers of seniors living below the federal poverty line. Food insecurity impacts senior health and healthy aging:

• Lower nutrient intake • More likely to suffer from diabetes • Depression • Limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) • High Blood Pressure • Congestive Heart Failure • Heart attacks • Gum disease • Asthma

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SNAP and Seniors

SNAP is the key anti-hunger program SNAP complements other senior nutrition programs:

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program • Home Delivered Meals

o For example, Meals on Wheels

• Congregate Dining • Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

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What Does Senior SNAP Participation Look Like?

Participation • About 3.37 million older adults 60+ are enrolled in SNAP, around 39%

of the eligible older adult population. • About 5.2 million eligible older adults are missing out on SNAP.

Average Benefit: in FY 2012 the average older adult living alone received a monthly SNAP benefit of $119. • 81% of older adults participating in SNAP live alone.

Who’s missing out on SNAP? • 41% of Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy participants • 46% of Supplemental Security Income participants (should be income-

eligible for SNAP, except in CA) • 53% of Medicare Savings Program participants • 43% of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program participants

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Why are Seniors Missing Out on SNAP?

Stigma of “welfare” programs Less likely to be aware of their eligibility, or how to apply Believe they are only eligible for minimum benefit of $15 Complicated application process Transportation

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Public & Private Support Can Close the Gap

For more on the Elder Index methodology, visit www.wowonline.org.

http://www.wowonline.org/

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74.8 million Population 60+ living

in the community

60+ and < 250% FPL

28

million

64.9 million Population 60+ living

in the community

60+ and < 250% FPL

24.7

million

59.5 million Population 60+ living in

the community

60+ and < 250% FPL

23.2

million

2015 2012 2020

Meeting Growing Needs of Elders in the Community

**Sources and Notes: NCOA analysis of the American Community Survey 2010, Public Use Microdata Files. NCOA analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Interim State Population Projections, 2005, File 3. Interim State Projections of Population by Single Year of Age: July 1, 2004 to 2030 . The numbers in each circle are a subset of the numbers in the larger circles. Circles are not at scale.

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the food stamp program.

The nation’s most important anti-hunger program.

In 2012, it helped almost 47 million low-income Americans.

60+ is considered “elderly” for SNAP

What is SNAP?

SNAP Participants, U.S. 2012

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SNAP is a federal entitlement, meaning if a person is eligible they receive benefits.

• Benefits come from the federal government. Benefit amounts are generally uniform across the nation.

• USDA is the federal agency that administers and creates policy for the program.

• States administer the program and pay ½ of administrative costs.

• The state policy manual governs your state’s SNAP program.

How Does it Work?

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SNAP has an application process that includes 3 steps.

How Do Seniors Apply for SNAP?

Application

Verification

Interview

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How to Use SNAP Benefits?

ELIGIBLE

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Different Groups of Seniors

SSI recipients: • Income below 75% of poverty • Almost always qualify for and get Medicaid

Over 65, no SSI: • Have Social Security and Medicare

Under 65 years old: • Often qualify for very little help other than SNAP

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1) SSI Recipients

Very low-income, but typically better connected to SNAP and broader safety net (SSI + Medicaid) Combined Application Projects in 15 to 20

states appear to have raised participation. • CAP SSI SNAP

Average Benefit = $211

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Scenario – SSI Recipient Living Alone

Lizzie • 70 years old • Lives alone • $721 SSI monthly income • Receives Medicare and Medicaid • Owns her home

Benefit Amount is $83

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2) Low-income 65+ Eligible for a package of benefits Still hard to connect them to SNAP In 2012, 2.8 million individuals 65+ received

SNAP Average benefit = $129

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LIS $4,000.00

MSP min. $1,663.00

SNAP $1,464.00

SSI $5,525.00

LIHEAP $375.00

Total Estimated

Annual Value:

$12,947

SNAP and Other Benefits Boost Income

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Scenario: Retired Couple/Disabled Senior

Tim and Tina • Both are 66 • Monthly retirement income = $1,500 • Average benefit = $63

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3) “Seniors” Under Age 65

Do not qualify for SSI, Social Security, or Medicare – few supports other than SNAP

Individuals 50-59: 4.1 million on SNAP in 2013 • Not considered a “senior” under SNAP rules

Individuals 60-64: 1.3 million on SNAP in 2013 Individuals 65+: 2.9 million on SNAP in 2013

• In 2012 there were almost twice as many SNAP participants age 50 to 64 as 65+

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Scenario: Grandparent with Grandchild

Cheryl and her granddaughter Jessica • Cheryl is 62 • Cheryl works part-time at a library • Earned income is $1,000 a month • Jessica is 8 • Average benefit = $278

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Challenge: The Missing Face of Senior Hunger in America

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Opportunity: SNAP Messaging Targeted to Seniors

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Promising Practices

Program promising practices • Comprehensive screening • Senior-specific messaging • Partnerships between aging and anti-hunger organizations • $15 shopping list with photos • Maximizing medical expense deductions

Policy promising practices – webinars available at www.centerforbenefits.org • Standard medical expense deduction • State SNAP outreach plan • Simplified applications for seniors

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Upcoming Webinars

Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series, Part Two: Eligibility and Deductions • Date and Time: TBD

Other upcoming webinars: • April 9th 2:00pm ET, NCOA’s Center for Benefits Access is

hosting a webinar with the Medicare Rights Center on Medicare and the Marketplace. For more information visit: http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/center-for-benefits/.

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/center-for-benefits/

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/center-for-benefits/

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NCOA’s Resources for Seniors and SNAP

BenefitsCheckUp® screening tool: www.benefitscheckup.org • SNAP enhancements underway.

SNAP Map - https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap.cfm • Use the SNAP Map to find food programs in your state and download apps.

NCOA’s new Senior Hunger Webpage: www.ncoa.org/SeniorHunger • Data • Promising Practices • Client Stories • Research • Funding opportunities • Webinars on SNAP Medical Expense Deduction and other key issues

Sign up to become part of the Senior SNAP movement! • Email [email protected] to join the SNAP Partners Listserv

http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap.cfm

http://www.ncoa.org/SeniorHunger

mailto:[email protected]

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Research on Seniors, Hunger, and SNAP

National Foundation to End Senior Hunger: http://www.nfesh.org/research/

AARP - Food Insecurity Among Older Adults http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/aarp_foundation/pdf_2011/AARPFoundation_HungerReport_2011.pdf

“Food Stamps, Food Sufficiency, and Diet-Related Disease among the Elderly”: http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/dps/pdfs/dp140713.pdf

Fact sheets with quick stats on senior hunger: • Meals on Wheels: http://www.mowaa.org/about-senior-hunger • Feeding America: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-

facts/senior-hunger.aspx • FRAC: http://frac.org/initiatives/addressing-senior-hunger/

http://www.nfesh.org/research/

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/aarp_foundation/pdf_2011/AARPFoundation_HungerReport_2011.pdf

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/aarp_foundation/pdf_2011/AARPFoundation_HungerReport_2011.pdf

http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/dps/pdfs/dp140713.pdf

http://www.mowaa.org/about-senior-hunger

http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/senior-hunger.aspx

http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/senior-hunger.aspx

http://frac.org/initiatives/addressing-senior-hunger/

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Questions & Contact Info

Please feel free to be in touch with any additional questions related to SNAP and seniors.

Lura Barber [email protected]

Ty Jones

[email protected]



Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series: Part One: Why SNAP is ...€¦ · – few supports other than SNAP...

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