Increases in SNAP Benefits
NJAAW is very pleased with recent passage of several hunger relief bills by the NJ Legislature and Governor. Most notable for older adults is the increase in benefits for snap. Executive Director Cathy Rowe testified to the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens on June 23, supporting the increase and noting that a return to pre-COVID levels would not only leave seniors with less food purchasing power, but for many makes SNAP benefits not worth the effort.
- “COVID revealed the large number of senior citizens who were eligible for SNAP but did not apply. Part of that is a perceived stigma, but a large part was that at $20 per month, with complicated applications and recertification processes, many senior citizens did not see SNAP benefits worth the effort. The increase in SNAP benefits during the public health emergency was essential in helping older adults get through the disruptions caused by the pandemic. If the SNAP levels were to return to pre-COVID levels, recipients are not going back to the same purchasing power. Inflation has driven up the cost of food (and gas and other items that take away from a household’s food budget). Going back to pre-COVID levels means SNAP recipients would have less purchasing power than they did 2 years ago and would be more food insecure than before the pandemic. The proposed increase might not seem like much, but for an older adult, it is a trip to the grocery store. It can provide breakfast every day for the month or fresh vegetables at dinner.”
The new legislation sets the minimum monthly SNAP benefits at $50 and simplifies the application process for senior citizens.
Please encourage eligible seniors to consider applying for this important assistance as we continue to work to expand benefits and fight food insecurity.
