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Food Assistance for Older Adults

Senior hunger affects millions of older adults, but food assistance benefits can help make food affordable. Learn more about SNAP for seniors and other programs that fight hunger and promote nutrition.

A senior Asian couple is cooking a healthy meal together in their kitchen.

What Is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps nearly 5 million older Americans afford food at their local markets. Learn more about the federal program and how to find out if you or a loved one is eligible.

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A senior Asian woman is looking at produce in the grocery store.

More on Food Assistance for:

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The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food benefits to people who have been financially impacted by a disaster. Learn how it works and find out if you qualify.

Apr 1, 2022

What Is the SNAP Emergency Application?

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A grocery budget calculator can give you a basic idea of how much you should be spending on groceries each week or month.

Mar 24, 2022

How to Create a Grocery Budget That Works for You

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Age and disability status can limit employment and lead to income-related hardships, yet many veterans aren’t aware they qualify for food stamps.

Mar 22, 2022

SNAP Assistance: Are Veterans Entitled to Benefits?

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A closeup shot of the pages of a calendar turning, indicating time passing.

Mar 21, 2022

How Long Do SNAP Benefits Last?

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If you’re an older adult that's hungry, the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) can help—whether you receive SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) or not.

Mar 15, 2022

The Emergency Food Assistance Program: A Guide for Older Adults

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Services to Enhance Potential Cheri Hardin helps Dori Bryant with the food nutrition labels while shopping at Focus: HOPE, a local agency located in Detroit, Michigan that operates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in a client choice model so that participants can select the foods they want in each food category.

Mar 13, 2022

How to Boost Your Diet with the Senior Food Box Program

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Which stores accept EBT? They range from small convenience stores to major grocery chains and superstores like Walmart.

Mar 11, 2022

Where Can I Use SNAP Benefits?

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The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program helps older adults obtain fresh food from local farms, roadside stands, and CSAs at no cost.

Mar 10, 2022

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: Key Facts for Older Adults

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A farmers market stand loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables (Pike Place in downtown Seattle).

Mar 10, 2022

Do Farmers Markets Accept SNAP?

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A senior Black woman is outside in her garden planting vegetables for food. If you have the time, space, and ability to start a small garden, you may be happy to learn that you can use your SNAP benefits to do it. Under program guidelines, you can purchase seeds and plant starts that, over time, can prove to be more economical than buying produce in the store.

Feb 28, 2022

What Can You Buy With SNAP?

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An elderly caucasian woman is sitting in a motorized wheelchair picking out produce at the grocery store. If you're wondering if you qualify for SNAP while on disability, the answer is yes. It’s possible to qualify for and receive SNAP benefits while you also collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

Feb 8, 2022

Can I Get SNAP if I’m on Disability?

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A beautiful artistic shot of a large group of multicolored fresh vegetables in a wooden crate. Fresh food can be purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the largest domestic hunger safety net program, helping low-income older adults achieve food security. 

Feb 2, 2022

What Is SNAP and How Do I Apply?

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A senior woman is talking to her daughter and granddaughter at the island in her kitchen, smiling. More than 25% of SNAP-eligible households include adults over 60. Income guidelines change each year—we’ll help you see if you qualify for this helpful benefit.

Jan 28, 2022

What Is the Income Limit for SNAP?

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A senior Black woman is picking out carrots in the produce section.

Jan 24, 2022

7 Important Health Benefits of SNAP

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Older/senior hands are placed on top of a stack of one dollar bills.

Jan 19, 2022

How to Get Help Paying for Food, Housing, and Healthcare

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A senior Asian woman is looking at produce in the grocery store.

Aug 20, 2021

Your SNAP Benefits Are Increasing

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A senior Hispanic woman wearing a mask is shopping at a farmer's market picking out fresh produce.

Jun 2, 2021

How to Maximize Your Food Benefits

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Senior Asian man is paying at the grocery register with his two granddaughters, while all are wearing their masks during the pandemic.

Apr 9, 2021

How Seniors Can Get Help Paying for Food with SNAP

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A senior woman is in the parking hugging her granddaughters as they kiss her on the cheeks.

Mar 16, 2021

American Rescue Plan Improves Senior Health and Financial Security

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

Feb 15, 2021

Get the Facts on SNAP and Senior Hunger

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A "We Accept Supplemental Nutrition Assitance Program (SNAP)" sign appears on the window of a grocery retailer.

Mar 24, 2020

Where to Get Food Help Now

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Four senior Black women in Detroit, Michigan shop the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), selecting the foo

Mar 16, 2017

Nutritious Food: An Ultimate Necessity as We Get Older

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An older hispanic woman unpacks groceries with her daughter and granddaughter in the kitchen.

May 7, 2015

Food Assistance Benefits

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