One-fourth of New Yorkers 60 and older who live independently face the threat of hunger, with many forced to choose between paying for medicine or food. Yet only about half of eligible New Yorkers receive help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
Individuals with a monthly income of $1,862 or less and couples below $2,522 are eligible.
Unlike the old food stamps, SNAP benefits are issued on a debit style card that can be used at participating grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers markets.
The application form is six pages long and requires additional documentation to prove your identity, income, and expenses. For many older New Yorkers, particularly those with cognitive and physical difficulties, this is a problem.
AARP and other consumer groups are urging New York to simplify the application, as Alabama did several years ago, when it introduced a two-page form for older households.
Other changes are: removing the finger-print requirement (Has been dropped as a requirement); translating the application to more then the current seven languages; getting New York agencies to share information so those already getting other benefits, like home heating assistance, can get SNAP benefits.
The average eligible New Yorker gets about $150 per month.
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Michael H. Drucker
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