In this Coffee Break, we will discuss research about older adults and under-use of food stamp benefits (aka SNAP or FoodShare). We will look at who is at greatest risk of not using benefits for which they are eligible, why older adults might not use benefits, and what we can do to help raise awareness and change this trend.  Use this Older Adults and Food Stamps Handout while listening to the call Older Adults and Food Stamps.

Resources:

• DHS website (Wisconsin Department of Health Services) has a chart of income levels used to determine enrollment in FoodShare Wisconsin.
• Learn how to apply using ACCESS website.

Support in communities for getting people signed up is available through FoodShare Outreach educators. These individuals are funded by SNAP outreach grants to assist people in signing up for SNAP.  Note: SNAP-Ed educators are strictly prohibited (its in our national guidance) from helping people with this task. Feeding America (at this link) can assist with this statewide.

For information on Food Stamps and Farmer’s Market, read the October article from WisContext: Growing Incentives For FoodShare Users At Farmers’ Markets: University Place: Efforts Across Wisconsin Focus On Connecting Low-Income Families With Fresh Produce