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End Hunger Roundtables Near You!
Hunger Solutions New York is proud to once again partner with the AARP NY to cosponsor Drive to End Hunger Roundtable events for local advocates and community leaders across the state.
Join us for a discussion to identify local obstacles to connecting older adults to food assistance, and examine strategies that are working at the community level.
Your organization's participation in our Drive to End Hunger Roundtable is vital continuing this discussion in our communities. We hope you are able to join us. Click here for the promotional flyer - and please help spread the word to partners in your area. |
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Remember Medical Deductions when Considering Medicare Part D Plans
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans started on Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, 2011. Many people with Medicare can save money if they are savvy in shopping around for a drug plan that best meets their needs. Please remind seniors that most out of pocket expenses may be considered in their food stamp budget, significantly raising their monthly benefit allotment. Visit our Senior Nutrition Center's Tools and Resource page for a tips sheet for senior service professionals to use when counseling their older or disabled clients. |
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New USDA Report Dispels Myth
One of the misperceptions that prevent older adults from applying for needed monthly food stamp benefits is that they will only receive the minimum $16 monthly benefit.
The USDA recently released their annual report on Household Characteristics of SNAP/Food Stamp recipients, reporting that in each month of fiscal year 2010, SNAP served an average of nearly 2.9 million households with elderly individuals (age 60 and over), representing almost 16 percent of all SNAP households. These households received an average SNAP benefit of $144 per month. Elderly people who received SNAP benefits tended to live alone and thus received relatively modest benefit amounts. In fiscal year 2010, 80 percent of all SNAP households with elderly members were single-person households; they received an average SNAP benefit of $119 per month, compared to $198 for multi-person households with only elderly people.
Although these are averages and benefit amounts vary, please help dispel the minimum benefit myth in your community and raise awareness of food stamp benefits to your older adults.
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Show your Support For The Older Americans Act
Chronic diseases can present many challenges for older adults, often compromising their independence. Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition services such as Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals served at local senior centers help millions of older Americans manage their chronic health conditions and prevent malnutrition while allowing them to live at home.
As Congress debates OAA funding and reauthorization this fall, members need to hear from us all, so that the OAA can continue to help seniors stay healthy, secure, and independent. Share with them how nutrition services benefit seniors in your community, and describe what will happen if those services are weakened.
Ask your congressional representative to sign the OAA Reauthorization Pledge to commit to protecting and strengthening the OAA. |
