Many people may qualify for food assistance benefits and not know it: AARP encourages a call to 2-1-1.

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SNAP is not just for households with children. It’s a federal program that offers assistance to adults of any age having a difficult time affording the food they need to maintain healthy lives. In Virginia, AARP is working to reach older people who may be eligible for these benefits and direct them to call 2-1-1 to sign up.

SNAP is an acronym for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; in earlier years, it was known as food stamps. Benefits are based on household income, and they are loaded onto a debit card to help pay for groceries.

The latest federal numbers show about 8.7 million U.S. households with at least one adult over age 50 participate in SNAP. AARP says millions more are eligible, and it encourages them to call 2-1-1 to enroll. The phone number offers information and referral services to many health and social service organizations. AARP says applying for SNAP benefits this way may also guide people to other forms of support for which they may be eligible, such as assistance for phone, internet, and local transportation.

Many older Virginians who are eligible for SNAP may not realize it. In some cases, it is possible to own a home and car and still be entitled to the food assistance benefits. That is why AARP encourages any residents who are unsure of their eligibility to call 211; it is possible that benefits are available to help provide much healthier and more active lives.

For older adults, SNAP offers the Elderly Simplified Application Process (ESAP) to make it easier to apply. Households might qualify for a three-year qualification period if all members are age 60 or older and do not have earned income. Information about how to qualify is available at the USDA website.

Online resources:
AARP provides extensive SNAP information: https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/food-security.html

Virginia Department of Social Services SNAP information: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi