AARP Hearing Center
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program, is the nation’s largest federal nutrition program and an important safety net for adults ages 50 and older. In 2016, over 40 percent of SNAP households had at least one adult ages 50 or older. This Fact Sheet provides an overview of the SNAP program’s eligibility criteria and provides state-level data on average benefit amounts, household composition and size, and participation levels among SNAP households with older adults.
MORE FROM AARP
Data Visualization: Food Insecurity and SNAP Enrollment Among Older Adults
In 2023, 12.6 million (or about 1 in 10) Americans ages 50 and older experienced food insecurity, meaning they had limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious food. Food insecurity prevalence rose in 2022 and 2023, following years of decline. Factors like high food prices and the end of pandemic-related benefits may have played a role. At the state level, food insecurity prevalence varies widely and has also changed over time.
16 Million Eligible Adults Ages 50 and Older Are Not Enrolled in SNAP
This paper is focused on understanding who is not enrolling in SNAP despite being eligible— what we call “eligible nonparticipants”—which is important for addressing low program enrollment. We estimate the number and share of SNAP-eligible nonparticipants ages 50 and older, examine their economic and demographic characteristics, and discuss policy implications based on the findings.