Ohio Seniors Missing Out on SNAP Benefits

Photo byUnited States Department of Agriculture

CLEVELAND, OH - In Ohio, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as a crucial resource for low-income seniors, helping them achieve food security.

According to the National Council on Aging, despite this, participation among older adults remains staggeringly low.

Nationally, about three out of five seniors who qualify for SNAP are not enrolled, meaning an estimated 5 million eligible older adults, including many in Ohio, are missing out on vital benefits, according to the National Council on Aging.

For those seniors enrolled in SNAP, the average monthly benefit is $118, with many receiving more through deductions for expenses like medical costs.

According to the National Council on Aging, however, only 16% of older adults currently take advantage of the excess medical expense deduction, which could increase their benefits.

This deduction allows seniors to deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35 from their gross income when applying for SNAP.

SNAP not only helps seniors buy food, but it also stimulates the local economy. For every $1 in SNAP benefits, an estimated $1.79 is generated in local economic activity, according to the National Council on Aging.

Additionally, access to SNAP reduces health care costs, with studies showing that seniors who receive SNAP are less likely to be hospitalized or enter nursing homes.

Ohio seniors can apply for SNAP benefits through NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp, which offers a simple online screening tool to check eligibility.