A Primer: SNAP’s Importance In Supporting Seniors .

A Primer: SNAP’s Importancein Supporting Seniors StrugglingAgainst Hunger in the U.S.This primer examines the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) in improving the health, nutrition, and well-being of millions of senior adults (age 60and older) struggling against hunger, and it summarizes opportunities to expand this vitalprogram to reach more seniors across the country.Senior HungerAccording to the Food Research & Action Center’sestimates, 9.5 percent of the more than 45 millionhouseholds with seniors are food insecure (on averageeach year from 2014–2016). No geographical communityis immune from food insecurity among older adults;however, rates do vary across states, with the highest rate inMississippi, and the lowest rate in North Dakota.Food-insecure households with older adults do not havethe resources to afford enough nutritious food to fully meetbasic needs at all times. Because of a lack of money, suchhouseholds may reduce the quality or variety of foods intheir diets, cut the size of meals, or skip meals altogether.The impact of senior hunger extends well beyond an emptystomach. Food insecurity often coexists with lower nutrientFood Insecurity Rate for Households with Seniors (2014-2016)FRACnSNAP’s Importance in Supporting SeniorsnMarch 2019nwww.FRAC.orgntwitter @fractweets1

SNAP Participation Among Households With Seniors(age 60 ) on Average Each Month,Fiscal Year (FY) 2013–2017intakes, greater likelihood of mental health problems,increased levels of depression and diabetes, and limitationson daily activities. Food-insecure seniors are more likelyto have to choose between paying for food or medicine,postponing medical care, or forgoing food needed forspecial doctor-prescribed diets.Millions more households with seniors face marginal foodsecurity, which research shows causes considerable harm tohealth and well-being.SNAP: A Highly Effective Tool forAddressing Senior HungerFYNumber of SNAPHouseholds WithSeniorsIncrease fromPrevious FY20175 million6.4%20164.7 million6.8%20154.4 million2.3%20144.3 million7.5%20134 millionSource: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Characteristics of SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program Households reports for FY 2013 through FY 2017.SNAP is the only nutrition program available to all eligibleolder adults in every part of the country. Nationally, in fiscalyear 2017 (according to the most recent data available), onaverage each month, SNAP reached 5 million low-incomehouseholds with individuals age 60 or older.1 While overallSNAP participation has decreased in recent years, thenumber of households with seniors participating continuesto grow. Between fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2017, SNAPparticipation among households with seniors increased byapproximately 25 percent.Participation in SNAP among all senior households isconsistent for all types of counties — rural, small town, andmetropolitan.While SNAP is available to individuals of all ages, theprogram is well-suited to benefit older adults:n SNAP protects senior health and helps maintainindependence. The health benefits that result from anadequate diet can support seniors in their efforts toremain active, socially integrated, and independent.Percentage of allHouseholds With SeniorsParticipating in SNAPMetro AreasSmall TownsRural AreasNATIONAL10%10%11%1U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2019). Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2017.FRACnSNAP’s Importance in Supporting SeniorsnMarch 2019nwww.FRAC.orgntwitter @fractweets2

Seniors often have special diets, texture sensitivities,and food restrictions. With SNAP, seniors can purchasenutritional shakes, doctor-recommended foods, andpersonal favorites.SNAP Participation Among Eligible Seniors on AverageEach Month by Household Type, FY 201660%n SNAP is flexible. SNAP can be used at tens of thousands59%50%of locations a EBT card to buy food for the senior.The senior may have one authorized representative orseparately authorized representatives for applying toMarch 2019nwww.FRAC.orgntwitter @fractweets4

More Resourcesreceive SNAP benefits and making SNAP purchases.Allowable authorized representative policies canparticularly benefit seniors who may have troublevisiting a SNAP office or shopping for food.For more on adopting these best practices, and accessingother senior resources, please visit the following on theFood Research & Action Center’s website:n Offering seniors the option to participate in theRestaurant Meals Program: The Restaurants MealsProgram (RMP) recognizes that purchasing andpreparing food can be a challenge for elderly SNAPparticipants. States have the option to operate a SNAPRMP for persons who are elderly, have a disability, orare homeless. Under this program, states can authorizerestaurants that offer a low-cost meal option to participatein the program.Interactive Mapsn Interactive Map: SNAP Participation Rates AmongEligible Seniorsn Interactive State Map: Share of Senior HouseholdsParticipating in SNAPn Interactive Map: SNAP Matters to Seniors in EveryCommunity – Metros, Small Towns, and Rural Areasn Interactive Map: Households with Seniors Facing Foodn Encouraging health care providers to screen andintervene to address food insecurity: States canpromote opportunities to encourage health providers toscreen older adults for food insecurity, and intervene byconnecting seniors to SNAP.InsecurityResourcesn State Fact Sheets: SNAP Matters to Seniorsn Average Monthly SNAP Benefits for Seniors and Non-seniors, FY 2017n FRAC best practicesn Combating Food Insecurity: Tools for Helping OlderAdults Access SNAPn Screen & Intervene: Addressing Food Insecurity AmongOlder AdultsTo get more seniors participating in SNAP, states and anti-hunger advocates can:Educatepolicy makers on theimportance of SNAPin addressingsenior hungerThe Food Research & Action Center would like to thank AARP Foundation and The Retirement Research Foundation forproviding generous support toward this project.FRACnSNAP’s Importance in Supporting SeniorsnMarch 2019nwww.FRAC.orgntwitter @fractweets5

n SNAP boosts senior income. SNAP lifts millions of people out of poverty each year. Moreover, by giving seniors additional food-purchasing power, SNAP can mitigate the hardships of rising food costs for those with fixed incomes. Evidence shows that when elderly consumers are confronted with rising costs without an increase in