| March
2007
Food Stamp Use Rises Are
elderly people eligible for food stamps? Yes,
and if you are a senior and have not applied for food stamps...Massachusetts is
looking for you! Only
a few years ago, Massachusetts ranked last in the nation with 60% of the people
eligible for food stamps not on the program. But over the past 5 years, an aggressive
outreach plan has turned those numbers around. Today, Massachusetts ranks number
1 in the percentage of new food stamp users. In
2001, there were 222,519 state residents using food stamps. Today, there are 445,381
people enrolled. The program has doubled! Across the country, about 25.7 million
people use food stamps. In 2006, the Massachusetts issued $408 million in Food
Stamp benefits, which also help the economy by increasing grocery store sales.
Some older people may not apply for food stamps because of myths they have:
- Food stamps
are just for young mothers with kids: False. The
program is for people with limited income, regardless of their age. About half
the people benefiting from food stamps are children-but only 8% were age 60 or
older.
- Food
Stamps mean using funny-colored "money." False. Today, people
use a debit card that looks just like any other plastic credit card. That state
deposits your monthly food stamps benefits in an electronic benefits transfer
account. They send you a card to use at food store checkouts to pay for your food.
Whenever you buy food with your card, your receipt will show the amount of money
left in your account.
- Food
Stamps can only buy limited items. False. Food stamps can be used almost
any food item in any store where you usually shop for food. Massachusetts residents
who use food stamps can spend the money they save to help pay their other bills.
- Food
Stamps aren't worth much financially: False. The average food stamp benefit
in 2004 was $1,020 a year. A single person will get less than a family-but even
the minimum benefit is worth $120 a year. Since there is no cost to apply, that
frees up $120 to use for something besides food.
- Food
Stamps are hard to apply for: False. You can apply at food stamp outreach
locations, throughout the state. To find an office near you, call the toll-free
Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. Ask them what items you
need to bring when applying for food stamps. You will need to bring information
about your income and expenses, such as Social Security or SSI payments, rental
payments, and medical bills. Remember, hundreds of thousands of people have qualified.
For
more information about food stamps in Massachusetts, and how to apply, call 1-866-950-FOOD.
If you want to find out if you could be eligible, check out the internet tool
at www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov.
Regional
Volunteer Opportunities:
Money
Management Program; Volunteers are needed for this program to promote and prolong
independent living to elders by helping manage money. Volunteers are trained to
assist elders monthly with organizing mail, writing checks, reconciling bank statements
and balancing the checkbook.
Call Old Colony Elderly Services at (800) 242-0246,
Ext. 252 |
