Housing ReliefIf you’ve been around for some time but have never applied for SNAP, you may be wondering what it is. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is its formal name, and you probably know it by the more commonly used moniker of “food stamps.”
Why apply for SNAP if you’ve been putting food on your table for all of these years? Because as a senior, you may need that extra assistance after moving to a fixed income. You may have lost a spouse, making it harder to keep food in your kitchen. Or you may simply notice that your nutrition is lacking, and you don’t have the funds to ensure your diet is up to snuff on your own.
While getting monthly funds for food via SNAP is this program’s most obvious benefit, it can lead to several life improvements for seniors. Here are just a few that should give you that nudge you need to apply for those food stamps today:
1. You may be eligible for SNAP without even knowing it.
You’re about to see many health-related reasons why seniors need SNAP. But before we jump into those, it’s worth noting that three in five seniors are eligible for food stamps, but do not receive them.
Perhaps they don’t know the program exists. However, you now know so to apply for SNAP and see if you’re eligible, go here.
2. SNAP allows you to put money away for life-saving expenses.
In 2018, one study found that SNAP recipients were more likely to refill their prescriptions and never miss doses of their medication. This was due to the money they saved on food, which allowed them to put it towards medicine.
Prescriptions aren’t the only form of healthcare that becomes more accessible to seniors on SNAP, however. Another study by the University of Massachusetts Boston found that SNAP recipients over 60 used their food savings towards nursing home care, home health care, doctor visits, and hospital stays.
3. SNAP can cut healthcare costs.
Research shows that seniors on SNAP are less likely to be hospitalized, and those who go to the hospital often have shorter stays that are more affordable.
4. SNAP fills a nutritional void that boosts senior health.
Insufficient nutrition and food security can lead seniors down a scary path. If an older adult lacks the food they need, they can lose muscle mass, bone density, and balance. This can lead them to fall, which can break bones and result in other serious health issues that can eliminate their independence. They can also have a more challenging time healing after falls, surgeries, etc. if they lack food.
Chronic conditions can also arise in seniors who suffer from food insecurity. Those conditions can worsen due to the stress that comes from financial problems and not being able to buy food. With SNAP, you can break this vicious cycle to reduce stress, keep chronic conditions at bay, and live out the rest of your years in good health.
