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National Council on Aging logo. We believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030.

Food Assistance

Senior hunger affects millions of older adults, but food assistance benefits can help make food affordable. Learn how to advocate for increased enrollment of seniors in SNAP and other programs that fight hunger and promote nutrition.
Eating well can be joyful and complex. Explore tips for choosing and preparing healthy foods, as well as how to access benefits to buy healthy options like fruits and vegetables.

Get the Facts on Food Insecurity and Older Adults

Jun 01, 2024
Approximately 5.2 million older Americans (7.1%) faced food insecurity in 2019. Learn what it means to be food insecure—and what help is available for older adults.

$30 Billion Left on the Table: Connecting More Older Adults With Money-Saving Public Benefits

Apr 04, 2024
Each year, $30 billion in public financial assistance goes unclaimed. Learn why so many older adults are missing out—and what we can do to change this.

What Congress Should Do for Low-Income Older Adults

May 06, 2020
And older grandmother and her younger granddaughter water plants outside of her retirement home.

Get the Facts on SNAP and Senior Hunger

Jun 01, 2024
A lone piece of bread sits on an empty plate with a fork close by, indicating hunger.

SNAP and Healthy Aging: Benefits That help Older Adults Eat Well

Oct 02, 2024
A Black woman is shopping for produce in the grocery store.

Advocate for Older Adults and Their Communities

Your voice matters. Members of Congress need to hear from you—their constituents—on what issues matter most. Use NCOA's advocacy tool to help protect and strengthen the programs we all depend on as we age. 


How the Government Is Securing SNAP Benefits from Scammers

May 24, 2024
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a rapid rise in the theft of government benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A proposed federal law would require all SNAP EBT cards to have security chips to prevent hackers from stealing benefits from older adults.

7 Facts About Older Adults and SNAP

Apr 11, 2024

Equity in Benefits: Best Practices from Three Community-Based Organizations

Dec 12, 2022

Older Adults and Hunger: Helping People Lead Healthier Lives Helps Us All

Jul 29, 2022

Help a loved one find benefits

BenefitsCheckUp®

BenefitsCheckUp® makes it easy to find benefits to help your loved one pay for food, medicine, and more. Learn more and find out how you can get help.

Get Started Today

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