The Food Stamp Program and Older Americans

The reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill expanded access to the Food Stamp Program for low-income Americans. The minimum monthly benefit and standard deduction for food stamp beneficiaries were increased and indexed to inflation. This was a landmark event, as these provisions have not changed for more than 30 years. These provisions also renamed the Food Stamp Program the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Introduction

The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the primary form of federal nutrition assistance for low-income people of all ages. Participation in the FSP has increased by 4 percent since fiscal year 2005. In fiscal year 2006, expenditures for the FSP totaled $32.9 billion.

Eighteen percent of all FSP households contain at least one person age 60 or older. Households with older persons are, on average, smaller than the typical food stamp household. As a result, only 9 percent of all individuals who receive food stamps are age 60 or older. Approximately 2 million older individuals (of whom 1.6 million live alone) received food stamps in 2006.

Characteristics of Older Participants

In 2006¹ (the most recent year for which data are available),

• Eighty percent of elderly food stamp households contained a single person.
• Older women were the majority of participants in the FSP, comprising more than 65 percent of participants age 60 or older.
• Fifty percent of older food stamp participants were non-Hispanic white, compared to 24 percent African-American, 15 percent Hispanic, and 7 percent Asian.
• Sixty-eight percent of elderly food stamp households received Social Security, 55 percent received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and 31 percent received both SSI and Social Security.
• Average monthly gross income (before allowable deductions) for elderly households was $715; the average monthly net income (after allowable deductions) for elderly households was $364.

Participation Rates

FSP participation by older persons is low: 18 percent of eligible households containing an elderly member received food stamps in 2006, compared with 52 percent of eligible households with children.² Studies have found that the primary reason eligible older persons fail to participate is that they do not think they are eligible for the program. Many mistakenly believe their income or assets are too high.

Eligibility

Eligibility is based on financial need: Participants must meet federally determined levels for both income and countable assets. However, criteria differ somewhat for households with older adults (age 60 or older) and people with disabilities. Such households may have up to $3,000 in cash assets (other households are allowed only $2,000), and their monthly income must be below the federal poverty guideline, after taking all allowable deductions. Unlike other households, these households need not meet a cap on gross income. The reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill adjusted the asset limits to inflation starting in fiscal year 2009. In fiscal year 2007, net monthly income cannot exceed $817 for a single older individual and $1,100 for an older couple.