More than 80% of Iowa's eligible seniors don't receive SNAP food assistance

More than eight of 10 older Iowans who are eligible for food assistance aren't receiving it—the second-highest non-participation rate in the nation, a new report finds.

Why it matters: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers crucial support for eligible low-income Americans, especially with grocery prices rising nearly 21% since January 2021.

By the numbers: The new report from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Urban Institute reveals that 83% of eligible Iowans 65 and older are not participating in SNAP.

• This means nearly 91,000 older Iowans who may struggle to afford groceries are missing out on this government assistance.

Zoom in: Johnson County had the state's lowest participation rate, with nearly 90% of eligible older residents not receiving aid.

• Boone and Story counties tied for the second-highest non-participation rate, just under 88%.
• Rates in Polk and Dallas counties were among the state's lowest, with 79.5% of eligible recipients not receiving help.

The big picture: 70.2% of older Americans who qualify aren't participating — about nine million people.

• California had the top non-participation rate (83.3%).

State of play: Iowa lawmakers approved stricter asset testing for SNAP assistance last year.

The fine print: NCOA used Census data from 2018 — before Iowa's new asset tests were in place — because it was the most comprehensive recent year of available data, its authors wrote .

Yes, but: The process for applying and reapplying for SNAP can be arduous, and it doesn't seem to be getting easier, Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book tells Axios.

• Anne Bacon, CEO of IMPACT , the group that helps run a pantry in the Drake neighborhood, tells Axios they're seeing fewer percentages of visitors that receive SNAP this year as compared to 2023, before Iowa implemented new testing.

What's next: Book said her group will continue to advocate for more eligible Iowans to apply for SNAP , which she described as the most effective anti-hunger program in the nation.