From the Food Research and Action Center (http://www.frac.org):
1 in 10 senior households relies on food stamps — MarketWatch, November 2, 2018
A study of U.S. Census Bureau data, released by FRAC, in collaboration with AARP Foundation, found that 10 percent of senior homes in metropolitan areas, 10 percent of those in small towns, and 11 percent of those in rural areas participate in SNAP. Of the 50 counties with SNAP participation above 25 percent, 75 percent were rural and only 15 percent were metropolitan. Senior SNAP participation is expected to increase as baby boomers age and experience financial challenges due to increasing rents and health care premiums. Melissa Boteach, senior vice president of the poverty program at the Center for American Progress, said this study, and others, show the importance of SNAP for the elderly.
Data Analysis Reveals that Millions of Households with Seniors Rely on SNAP to Stave Off Hunger — FRAC, October 31, 2018
One in 10 households with seniors (age 60+) participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on average each year between 2012–2016. This is according to U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed in interactive tools released by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), in collaboration with AARP Foundation.
Rural Americans Are Now The Largest Slice Of Federal Food Aid Recipients — NET Nebraska, October 29, 2018
According to USDA, SNAP participation is highest among households in rural areas and small towns under 2,500 people, and has been since 2012. FRAC’s analysis of the USDA data found that 16 percent of rural households participate in SNAP versus 13 percent of urban area households. “The data, if anything, probably suggests that there could be an even greater reach for SNAP in rural areas if it was doing a stronger job of reaching more of the elderly who are, in fact, eligible but not participating,” said Ellen Vollinger, legal director at FRAC. Vollinger notes that the population of older people is larger in urban areas.
Leave a Reply