Over 5 million older adults depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal food assistance program managed by state and local agencies to help people buy groceries on a limited income. But SNAP is only as successful as the agencies in charge of running it, and many are falling behind in approving applications or sending benefits. Luckily, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, which manages SNAP, is taking steps to make sure applicants receive the benefits they are owed.

In February, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent letters to government leaders in 45 states, plus Guam and the District of Columbia saying they must improve in some or all of the following areas:¹

• Reduce how often they give households too many or too few SNAP benefits
• Process SNAP applications faster
• Make sure states were right to deny, end or suspend SNAP benefits
• Notify people about their application status in a timely manner

For example, people who qualify for SNAP should receive their benefits within 30 days of applying, but instead have waited months for approval.² In some cases, people should have received benefits in as little as a week if their housing and utilities cost more than their monthly income and the cash they have on hand.³

What is being done to fix SNAP delays?

The USDA is stepping in to monitor SNAP agencies and provide their employees training and support to streamline application processing, approvals and recertifications.⁴ Agencies are required to create improvement plans if they don’t meet federal standards for efficient SNAP enrollment.⁴ The USDA has also awarded $5 million in grants to SNAP agencies over a decade for improvements such as:⁵

• Mobile offices to reach underserved areas
• Text message reminders to SNAP recipients
• Live chat agents and virtual assistants to help with online SNAP applications⁶

What SNAP benefits do I get if I’m approved after a delay?

If your SNAP agency is the reason your application was held up then you’re entitled to SNAP benefits retroactive to the month you applied.⁷

If you are the reason the application was held up for the first 30 days, but your SNAP agency delayed the process during a second 30-day period, then any lost benefits would be calculated from the month after the one you applied.⁷  

What if I’m denied SNAP or my benefits are wrong?

You have within 90 days of finding out your status to contact a local SNAP agency caseworker and tell them you want a fair hearing to appeal your SNAP benefits decision.⁸ This may involve an in-person visit, phone call or written letter explaining the reasons for your appeal to the caseworker.⁸

Your SNAP paperwork may also have a section labeled “I want to appeal.” If so, write “I disagree with this decision” in this section. After you sign and date the paper, you will need to send it to the state SNAP agency you applied through either electronically or in person.⁹

You are entitled to a hearing before the agency that runs your SNAP program. In many states, this is usually a department of social or human services.⁹ The National Council on Aging’s guide on the appeals process can advise you on what to expect.

Where can I get updates on my SNAP application?

You can use USDA’s online directory to find your local SNAP agency’s website or phone hotline to ask about your application status. If you are on Medicare and need help connecting with a SNAP caseworker, there are 87 Benefits Enrollment Centers in 38 states to help link you with government benefit agencies. NCOA has a list of locations to find the closest one near you.

Where can I get groceries until I’m approved for SNAP?

NCOA has a guide for older adults who need help finding free or affordable food. You can also find information on local food assistance by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211.org, as well as the Eldercare Locator’s website and toll free number 1-800-677-1116.

Sources

1. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Efficiency and Effectiveness Measures. Found on the Internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/qc/efficiency-effectiveness-measures

2. Newsweek.com. SNAP Recipients Wait Six Months For Benefits as Delays Chaos Continues. February 7, 2024. Found on the Internet at https://www.newsweek.com/snap-benefits-tennessee-six-month-payment-delays-1867709

3. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Special Rules for the Elderly or Disabled. Found on the Internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility/elderly-disabled-special-rules

4. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Agriculture Secretary Calls on States to Take Action to Improve SNAP Administration for Families in Need. February 8, 2024. Found on the Internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/fns-001.24

5. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. FY 2023 PTIG Award Summaries. Found on the Internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fy-2023-ptig-award-summaries

6. USDA Food and Nutrition Service. FY 2022 PTIG Award Summaries. Found on the Internet at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fy-2022-ptig-award-summaries

7. Code of Federal Regulations. Title 7: Agriculture. Found on the Internet at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-273/subpart-A/section-273.2#p-273.2(h)

8. Ask.USDA.gov. How can I view my SNAP application status or appeal my application decision? Found on the Internet at https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/ustomer-s-SNAP-application-status-or-appeal-process

9. National Council on Aging. How Do I Appeal a SNAP Benefits Decision? Found on the Internet at https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-do-i-appeal-a-snap-benefits-decision