Pennsylvania Food Assistance for Senior Citizens
Among other things, senior citizens need plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats to stay healthy. Unfortunately, living on a low income can make healthy food items unaffordable. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare helps senior citizens afford the food they need through the federal program known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Senior citizens have special qualification requirements and rights when applying for SNAP benefits.
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Benefits
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Families on the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receive benefits once a month. Upon approval of their application, a caseworker provides the family with an electronic benefit transfer card. This card works like a credit or debit card. Families can swipe the card at a point-of-sale machine or hand it to a cashier for processing. Almost every grocery store chain takes SNAP benefits. Some farmers' markets and local grocers also accept SNAP.
Income Limits
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The USDA bases the income limits for the SNAP program on the size of the household. For example, as of January 2011, a two-person family can make up to $1,579 gross and $1,215 net to qualify for benefits, states the United States Department of Agriculture on its website. If every member of the household receives another form of federal benefits such as social security income or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the family does not have to pass the income test. Families receive a standard deduction based on household size. The USDA guidelines note that people over the age of 60 can deduct medical expenses that exceed $35 a month.
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Qualifications
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Households need to meet qualifications regarding their personal resources. USDA guidelines indicate that a household with at least one senior citizen 60 years old or older can have up to $3,000 in personal resources. Examples of resources include money in bank accounts and privately owned stocks. Retirement accounts do not count towards resources. If you receive social security income or TANF benefits, you do not need to pass the resources test.
Applying
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Senior citizens can apply in person by completing a SNAP benefit application at their local county assistance office. Applicants can also complete and submit an application online.
The Pennsylvania Department of Welfare provides the Compass website, through which senior citizens can apply for several federally funded programs such as SNAP, utility assistance programs or medical assistance programs. Applicants can use the site's qualification calculator to see if they qualify for food assistance, to check on the status of their application or to renew their benefits.
Upon making an application, a senior may need to complete an interview or provide more information to a caseworker.
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References
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