August 17, 2009
In Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties about 70 percent of elderly people who are eligible for food stamps are not signed up to receive them, according to Kelly J. Johnson, health planning director for the Heartland Rural Health Network Inc.
That number increases to 83 percent of people ages 60 or above for Highlands County alone, she said.
And those numbers are based upon a study done in 2004, according to the Department of Elder Affairs. They stopped doing reporting statistics after that, she said.
"With the economy the way it is, it can only be higher," she surmised.
The Heartland Rural Health Network Inc. has received a two-year $74,000 food stamp outreach program grant called SNAP to help folks in low-income households, especially the elderly, put food on the table.
SNAP is federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Their goal is to make the program available to as many eligible seniors as possible.
Jean Mullins is an outreach and eligibility specialist for SNAP through the Heartland Rural Health Network Inc.
"This is not welfare," said Mullins on Friday. "It's a nutritional supplement program."
Seniors who qualify may receive anything from the $14 per month minimum to $200 per month maximum, but the average allotment is $101 per person per month.
The average household received about $227, she said, according to 2008 estimates.
There are some gross and net income limits set by SNAP, depending upon the number of people in the household. If the person is 60 or older or disabled only the net income limit must be met.
The net limit for a single person 60-or-older or disabled is $867. For two people it goes up to $1,167, and so forth.
The money is distributed through a plastic EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card, much like a debit card, and replaces paper food stamp coupons. It helps cut down on some of the fraud.
"So people don't necessarily know you're on food stamps," she said. "It's getting so most food stores take them, it's so widespread."
And they can be used anywhere in the United States.
"And the unused dollars are rolled over to the next month," said Johnson.
A lot of the elderly have the misconception that they are somehow depriving someone more worthy of these funds by signing up, Mullins said. That just isn't true.
For every $5 in new food stamps benefits generates about $9.20 in local economic community spending, in turn creating more jobs.
The food stamp program brings federal money into our state and our community, she said.
Mullins said she conducts eligibility interviews with the elderly, which can be done in the office or over the telephone.
If they qualify she then can walk them through the application process at the Heartland Rural Health Network office, or in a public setting at a number of participating locations.
"A lot of the elderly don't apply because they don't have computers or because they're afraid of the computer," said Millins. "That's where I can help."
On a case-by-case basis even homebound elderly can get help with the application without leaving their homes.
I can go to their home with the Internet access on my laptop, she said, fill out the application and send it in from there."
"There are a number of myths that seniors may have about using food stamps," she said. "I am here to give them the facts and encourage enrollment in this program. By participating in this program they are able to not only improve their health status by eating nutritious meals, but also have some additional financial resources to help cover other household expenses."
The network's partners include NU-HOPE, Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless, Parrish Nursing, Florida Hospital, Manna Ministries, Samaritans Touch and RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Professionals).
Mullins can be reached at the Heartland Rural Health Network office, 1200 W. Avon Blvd., Room 109, in Avon Park, or by calling 863-452-0638.
10 Myths and facts about food stamp benefits and the elderly
MYTH: Food stamps are welfare.
FACT: The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program. It helps low income people buy nutritious foods. It is not welfare.
MYTH: Elderly people only receive $14 a month in food stamp benefits.
FACT: Fourteen dollars is the smallest amount of food stamps you can receive. The average amount of food stamps for the elderly is much higher.
MYTH: Elderly people cannot own or be buying a home. If they own or are buying a home, the government will take it.
FACT: Individuals can own or buy a home and still get food stamps. The home and its lot are not counted as a resource in the Food Stamp Program. The Food Stamp Program does not require a person to sign away their home.
MYTH: Elderly people must go to the food stamp office for an interview.
FACT: If an elderly person is not able to go to the food stamp office, he or she may request a telephone interview. The person may also ask a relative, pastor, neighbor, etc., to attend the interview as an authorized representative. Applicants for and recipients of SSI may also apply for food stamp benefits at the Social Security Office.
MYTH: You have to go to the food stamp office every few months to keep getting benefits.
FACT: Elderly people can get benefits for up to two years at a time. You don't have to go back to the office unless there are specific changes to your case. You can also ask for a telephone interview. Or a friend or family member can go for you.
MYTH: Elderly people are only allowed $2,000 in resources.
FACT: The resources limit for elderly households or households containing one elderly person is up to $3,000.
MYTH: Elderly people do not receive credit for medical and prescription drug bills.
FACT: Medical expenses that exceed $35 a month may be deducted unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. Only the amount over $35 can be deducted.
MYTH: Food stamps are only for families with children.
FACT: Food stamps are for eligible individuals and families, including the elderly.
MYTH: Other people need food stamps more than the elderly individuals. If an elderly person is certified for food stamps, he or she will be taking them away from others who have more of a need.
FACT: The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program. In other words, everyone who applies and who is determined to be eligible will get food stamp benefits.
MYTH: Elderly households who receive food stamps will not be able to receive meals-on-wheels.
FACT: Households can receive food stamps and still get meals-on-wheels. You can use your food stamps to purchase food at the store. This means you will have extra food in addition to your meals on wheels.
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