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Hunger among the nation’s seniors is a growing concern. Yet the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is under-utilized by older persons. Formerly known as Food Stamps, SNAP provides monthly benefits for low-income people of all ages to buy groceries of their choice at participating food stores and farmers markets.
Nationwide, senior citizens have a lower sign-up rate for SNAP benefits than any other age group. Only a third of eligible seniors take part in the program according to data from the National Council on Aging. In NYC, less than half of eligible seniors receive help from SNAP. As many as 500.000 older New Yorkers go hungry each month for lack of money to buy groceries, despite the existence of a safety net program that could put food on their tables.
According to the NYC Dept of the Aging website, eligibility requirements for SNAP are more generous for senior citizens and disabled persons than for others. Individuals 65 and older who are living alone with a net monthly income of $1,915 can receive benefits. A two-person household with an elderly or disabled person and an annual income of $31,020 also qualifies for benefits. In addition, applicants can claim a number of exemptions that can increase the amount they receive, e.g. medical expenses in excess of $35 a month. Unfortunately, many potential applicants believe that they will only qualify for the minimum amount of $16 per month. In fact, according to the website Hunger Solutions, the average monthly SNAP benefit for households with an older adult in New York City is $180 a month.
There are a number of reasons why seniors don’t apply for SNAP, according to an AARP Foundation report. It appears that many eligible seniors don’t even know that the program exists. Among those who know about it, some are too embarrassed or too proud to apply, while others think that if they receive SNAP they will take food benefits away from others, especially children. The misperception that the application process is too difficult also contributes to its under-utilization.
Here is a list of organizations that are deemd “SNAP Outreach Providers”, and they will walk you through the process of getting SNAP. Most seniors qualify for SNAP so please contact one of the organizations below to get started.
Public Health Solutions
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
40 Worth Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646)619-6400
Contact Email: info@healthsolutions.org
Website: http://www.healthsolutions.org/
St. Johns Bread of Life
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
795 Lexington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11221
Phone: (718) 574-0058
Fax: (718) 455-7796
Contact URL: https://www.breadandlife.org/contact-us
Website: https://www.breadandlife.org/
United Way of NYC
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
205 East 42nd Street 12th Flr
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212)251-2500
Phone: (212)639-9675
Contact Email: contactus@uwnyc.org
Website: https://www.unitedwaynyc.org/
Met Council
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
120 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10271
Phone: (212) 453-9500
Fax: (718)798-2398
Contact Email: info@metcouncil.org
Website: http://www metcouncil.org
Project Hospitality
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City (Staten Island only)
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
100 Park Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10302
Phone: (718) 448-1544
Contact Email: info@projecthospitality.org
Website: https://www.projecthospitality.org/
NY Common Pantry
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
8 East 109th Street,
New York, NY 10029
Phone: (917) 720-9700
Fax: (917) 720-9665
Contact URL: http://nycommonpantry.org/contact-us/
Website: http://nycommonpantry.org/
Catholic Charities Community Services
Geographic Area(s) served: Rockland, Westchester, Bronx
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
1011 First Avenue 11th Fl
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (888) 744-7900
Phone: (212) 371-1000
Fax: (212) 421-0021
Contact URL: http://catholiccharitiesny.org/find-help
Website: http://catholiccharitiesny.org/
Fortune Society
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
29-76 Northern Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: (212) 691-7554
Contact Email: info@fortunesociety.org
Website: http://www.fortunesociety.org
Council of Senior Center and Services of NYC, Inc.
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
49 West 45th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212)398-6565
Fax: (212) 398-8398
Contact Email: info@liveon-ny.org
Website: http://www.liveon-ny.org/
Single Stop USA
Geographic Area(s) served: New York City
Program: SNAP Outreach
Address:
123 William Street Ste. 901
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 480-2870
Contact Email: info@singlestopusa.org
Website: https://singlestop.org/
Does apply to seniors on Long Island?
Where to Go in Nassau County ?
I live alone and The only income I have is $1415.00 a month Social Security. All I am eligible for in Snap program is $19.00 a month. That certainly won’t buy many groceries. I was told by Social Services that is what most seniors get. So what is the sense in applying for SNAP if that is all the help you can get.
I am 63 years old n I take care of my 6 year old grandson..I receive 1,156.00 from Social Security & 399.00 from 1199 SEIU Health.As many times as I try to apply for food stamps they only gave me 26.00 dollars for the both of us..So I got aggravated n stopped applying for them.They just started giving me 78.00 dollars for the both of us.You people say that seniors don’t apply for them cause the are embarrassed..Seniors don’t apply for them cause the system gives them a hard time about getting food stamps.My stepmother receives 16.00 a month in stamps.What is she suppose to do with that.You buy a loaf of bread and a half gallon of milk n right there you spend almost 5.00 dollars.It is hard for me and my grandson but I make sure he has everything he needs.Nothing is easy in this world.
i recently applied myself my son did it am 79 years old i get 20.00 a month i asked for a budget summary and it seems that they are not going by state limits because it just seems am getting the federal munimum..how much do you really expect 20.00 to buy for a senoir my age..carton of eggs..loaf of bread and milk