food stamps

SNAP, formerly "food stamps," needs additional investments and flexibility to respond to the pandemic.

A proposed rule would disproportionately impact SNAP households with seniors.

A proposed rule could harm older Americans' health and financial security

Recent federal proposals would add additional barriers to an already underused program, including efforts to require older adults to prove they’re engaging in work activities for a certain number of hours per week or risk losing SNAP after three months

As the U.S. population ages and SNAP faces the prospect of changes that could affect the future of the program, it becomes all the more important to examine the dynamics around this large segment of SNAP users. AARP Public Policy Institute’s recently released fact sheet takes a closer look at SNAP households with older adults.

“Without SNAP, I don’t know how I’d be able to afford to eat.”

There is a renewed national debate over anti-poverty programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that millions of low-income Americans rely on. The House Agriculture Committee is currently leading an extensive review of SNAP. Recently, AARP President-Elect Eric Schneidewind testified before the Committee on SNAP’s importance to seniors and how it plays a key role in reducing health care costs. Click here to watch the video.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week a proposed program to improve access to groceries for homebound older Americans and people with disabilities who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program. AARP spoke with Vilsack about the pilot program and food insecurity among older adults.

When President Obama signed the farm bill on Feb. 7, it meant sun and rain for food stamp recipients.

As Americans sit down together for the Thanksgiving holiday, millions of older Americans and others worry about where their next meal will come from.