LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – 16 million adults ages 50 and older who were eligible for SNAP are not enrolled in the program, according to a AARP report.
SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly food funds to low-income people and families to buy groceries.
The report also found more than half of the eligible nonparticipants would receive a minimum $20 monthly SNAP benefit. 20 percent would be eligible for more than $300 per month.
AARP’s Senior Vice President for Public Police Alan Weil said SNAP helps improve health and lowers health care costs.
“The more people have access to healthy foods and the resources they need to buy food reliably, the more likely they are going to be to be able to manage their chronic health conditions,” Weil continued.
Previous AARP research found low participation rates for older adults were due to low benefit amounts, the application process and stigma.
“People have been paying into these programs all of their lives, and they’re there for when you need them,” Weil continued “Although it may be hard to ask for help, it’s better to ask for help and be healthy than to not ask for help and find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to afford your groceries.”
AARP found 12.6 million adults ages 50 and older were food insecure. The nonprofit is advocating for SNAP to improve outreach efforts and target lower income older adults and to streamline the application and recertification process.
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