NY and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

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.

CLICK HERE for information about hunger solutions for New Yorkers.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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End Childhood Hunger in America

It’s time to make your voice heard.

This week, Congress is working on the Farm Bill, legislation that includes funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps). Half of all SNAP participants are kids, making it our nation’s most powerful and effective anti-hunger program for children. Some members of Congress are looking to slash funding for SNAP, which will have a devastating effect. These cuts will mean more kids will face hunger in America.

SNAP is proven to reduce poverty among kids and has important economic benefits for communities. And SNAP Ed which is also facing cuts helps low-income families use their SNAP dollars more efficiently and make healthy food choices.

Here’s what at stake with the proposed cuts:

-Millions of families could lose access to the program entirely
-Hundreds of thousands of kids to lose access to free school meals
-Programs that help low-income families make healthy food choices would be gutted

We cannot afford the increase in health care costs, declining test scores, and lower graduation rates that come with taking healthy food away from our children.

CLICK HERE to tell your state representatives in Congress to support SNAP.

Thanks in advance for adding your voice to the No Kid Hungry campaign at a time when our children need you more than ever.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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