6 Million Seniors Need to Enroll for SNAP
Before enrolling for SNAP, Helen, a senior in Kentucky, sometimes had to make the excruciating decision of whether to eat or pay her bills. “I went hungry sometimes” she shared, and she’s not the only one. Only about 42% of seniors nationwide who are eligible for SNAP are actually enrolled (NCOA). That means more than 6 million seniors are missing out on life-saving nutritional benefits, either because they don’t know that they qualify or because they face barriers to enrolling.
SNAP not only provides a senior household with an average of $105 per month to spend on groceries, but it also promotes health and wellness among aging populations. Research indicates that food-insecure seniors have less nutritious diets, have worse health outcomes, and are at higher risk for depression than food-secure seniors (CBPP). According to the CBPP SNAP is effective in reducing food insecurity by as much as 30%.
There are other ancillary benefits to enrolling aging populations for food benefits. SNAP is associated with a reduced likelihood of nursing home and hospital admissions among low-income seniors enrolled compared to their non-SNAP using counterparts. Seniors who participate are also less likely than similar non-participants to forgo their full prescribed dosage of medicine due to cost. SNAP can also save households an average of $1,400 on healthcare costs annually (CBPP).
Our clients can attest to these benefits. After enrolling for SNAP using mRelief, Helen shared that the program has helped her a great deal: “[now I can] afford food that is good for my cholesterol and my health like fruit and fresh vegetables.”
