Governor Kathy Hochul announced changes aimed at encouraging more food-insecure older adults and disabled individuals to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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The changes include simplifying the SNAP application, extending the duration these households can receive benefits before needing to recertify, and eliminating the need for them to complete an interview during the recertification process.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which administers SNAP in New York, to offer a simplified application.
This shortened application form can be used for both applying and recertifying for SNAP easing and simplifying the process for qualified older and disabled adults. Households need only to complete a single sheet application, front and back, which greatly reduces the amount of time and effort required to apply or recertify for benefits.
Starting in December, eligible older New Yorkers can also now recertify their benefits for 36 months 12 months longer than the previous timeline for recertification.
Additionally, applicants will no longer be required to complete an interview to recertify their benefits—frequently one of the greatest impediments to successful recertification.
Although New York leads the nation in SNAP participation among adults age 60 or older, the rate is still lower than the state's overall average.
About 70 percent of eligible older adultsand disabled individuals are enrolled to receive benefits, which is significantly lower than the statewide participation rate estimate of roughly 89 percent.
One leading reason proposed for this lower participation is the length and complexity of the form to apply for SNAP.
The regular application includes nine pages of questions and information geared at determining a household's eligibility. Because many older individuals and disabled individuals live on fixed incomes and generally experience far fewer household changes, much less information is required to verify their eligibility and calculate benefits.
Additionally, studies show that providing SNAP benefits for those 65 and older results in better health outcomes. There is a direct link between SNAP and decreased long term care placement, health costs, and emergency visits. Receiving SNAP benefits also enables those aged 65 and older to focus their limited resources on paying for other basic needs such as prescriptions and rent. ■