A report sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture discusses pilot projects in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to increase the percentage of elderly people enrolled in SNAP. According to the report, the Michigan and Pennsylvania pilots were successful, while the Ohio project did not have a significant effect on participation rates.
The Michigan and Pennsylvania programs (1) simplified their SNAP application processes and (2) worked with state agencies to get lists of potentially SNAP eligible seniors (i.e., seniors who were already receiving Medicaid or other state assistance.) Ohio, by comparison, focused its efforts on community outreach, but struggled to find sites where they could reach significant numbers of eligible seniors.
The report cited several factors that inhibit elderly individuals from enrolling in SNAP, including:
- lack of information (or misinformation) about program applications and eligibility;
- application burdens, either real or perceived, and low benefits relative to the burden of applying;
- low benefits relative to the time and effort needed to apply for benefits; and
- stigma associated with receiving government assistance.
