SNAP for Older Adults

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A senior Black man is enjoying a salad with his wife at lunchtime.

About SNAP Benefits
Determining SNAP Eligibility
Apply for SNAP
SNAP Application Reminders

Most older adults don’t have enough put aside for retirement. If you’re one of them, here are some benefit programs that can help you save money.

Jul 12, 2022

Your Guide to Money-Saving Benefits in Retirement Read Article

Jun 21, 2022

Cooking Is a SNAP: Brighten Your Summer Plate with Healthy, Budget-Friendly Recipes Read Article

May 23, 2022

Lifting Barriers to SNAP: Real Stories from Older Adults Read Article

May 19, 2022

How Do Benefits Enrollment Centers Help Older Adults? Read Article

Published by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), MyPlate provides a wealth of valuable information on planning, prepari

Apr 28, 2022

Making Every Bite Count: 3 Steps to Healthier Eating with MyPlate Read Article

Worried about rising food costs? A finance calendar can help older adults budget for unexpected expenses and stretch their grocery dollars further.

Apr 26, 2022

What Is a Budget Calendar? And Why Should I Use One? Read Article

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.

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

As America recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity among low-income seniors remains high. Learn about some resources that can help.

Apr 18, 2022

Help to Gain Access to Healthy Food: Resources for Older Adults Read Article

Apr 15, 2022

Get the Facts on Food Insecurity and Older Adults Read Article

Apr 7, 2022

How Do I File a SNAP Complaint? A Guide for Recipients and Caregivers Read Article

Apr 6, 2022

What Stores Accept EBT for Online Grocery Delivery and Pickup? Read Article

BenefitsCheckUp®

A senior couple is working together to figure out what Medicare benefits they are eligible for via BenefitsCheckup.org.

See if you're eligible.

Are you living on a fixed income? There are 2,500+ programs that can help pay for food, medicine, and more. Find out what's available.

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More Stories

While food prices aren’t expected to go down, smart shopping and budgeting habits can help older adults save on groceries.

Apr 6, 2022

How Much Have Food Prices Gone Up, and How Can I Save?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the largest domestic hunger safety net program, helping low-income older adults achieve food security.

Apr 4, 2022

Seniors & SNAP: 5 Myths Busted

How hard is the SNAP interview? It doesn’t have to be hard at all. When you know exactly what to expect, you can go into yours prepared.

Apr 2, 2022

Your SNAP Interview: 5 Tips for Success

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?

Learn how following a 7- or 5-day healthy meal plan can free up time for leisure activities and stretch your food budget and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Mar 25, 2022

5 Tips for Seniors Creating Healthy Meal Plans

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

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?

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

Mar 21, 2022

How Long Do SNAP Benefits Last?

Wondering how to save money grocery shopping? Smart habits can add up to significant savings with every trip to the store, including learning more about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Mar 21, 2022

7 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store

Fresh produce is springing up in grocery stores and farm stands. Learn how you can add variety and nutrition to your plate with affordable seasonal fruits and veggies using your SNAP benefits.

Mar 20, 2022

Cooking Is a SNAP: Refresh Your Diet with Healthy Spring Recipes

Two bags of groceries filled with fresh produce sit atop a kitchen counter. Thousands of farmers markets across the U.S. now accept SNAP EBT cards for payment. Find out what this means for you.

Mar 17, 2022

An Older Adult's Guide to Using SNAP at Farmers Markets

Healthy eating habits for older adults include eating more whole foods, getting enough protein, and limiting sodium. SNAP can make it more affordable to stick to healthy eating guidelines.

Mar 17, 2022

6 Healthy Eating Habits for Older Adults

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?

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

Mar 10, 2022

Do Farmers Markets Accept SNAP?

Your EBT card can be used to purchase eligible food items at Walmart, grocery stores, and other retailers that accept SNAP.

Mar 9, 2022

How Does an EBT Card Work? A Guide for Older Adults

An empty grocery cart is in the middle of an aisle waiting to be filled. Use SNAP to reduce your net income through qualified deductions.

Mar 7, 2022

Eating Better on a Fixed Income: What You Can Buy for $20 in SNAP Benefits

A corgi sits in front its food bowl, ready to eat. SNAP benefits only cover food for human household members and cannot be used to purchase pet food.

Mar 6, 2022

Can You Buy Pet Food with SNAP?

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?

Four forks are pictures with various vegetables and fruit at their ends.

Feb 28, 2022

6 Ways to Eat Well as You Get Older

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?

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?

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?

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

Jan 24, 2022

7 Important Health Benefits of SNAP

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

Aug 20, 2021

Your SNAP Benefits Are Increasing

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

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

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

Older Hispanic woman with gray sweater looking sad while gazing out a window

Mar 1, 2021

Get the Facts on Economic Security for Seniors

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

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

A senior couple is laughing at the dinner table while eating a healthy meal together.

Feb 6, 2020

Simple Tips for Eating Well

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

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

May 7, 2015

Food Assistance Benefits

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