By Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal assistance program in the United States that provides low-income individuals and families with funds to purchase food. Commonly referred to as food stamps, SNAP plays a crucial role in fighting hunger and improving nutrition for millions of Americans.
SNAP benefits are provided monthly through electronic debit cards, allowing recipients to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. The program aims to supplement the food budget of eligible households, and the amount of benefits received is based on factors such as income, household size, and expenses. With its focus on promoting food security and nutrition, SNAP serves as a vital resource for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
But in Florida, those benefits aren't as easy to claim.
According to a report from the National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute, more than 858,000 Florida seniors could get SNAP benefits, but only 38% of those eligible participate.
Still, Florida’s participation rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, for people 65 and older is higher than the national rate of 30%, according to the report.
The program, meant for low-income people, provides monthly benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Miami-Dade, Duval, and Hillsborough counties have the highest enrollment rates. Even though 50% of eligible seniors in Miami-Dade get benefits through SNAP, 108,813 people who are eligible don’t participate.
Collier, St. Johns, and Charlotte counties have the lowest participation rates in SNAP out of the eligible elderly population. More than 19,000 seniors in Collier could get food assistance.
Nationally and in Florida, more people participate in other programs such as Supplemental Security Income, which provides cash assistance for seniors with little to no income, and Medicare Savings Programs. Those two have enrollment rates of nearly 50% among eligible Florida seniors.
