SNAP and Seniors - Hunger Solutions New York

Nearly 200,000 older New Yorkers may be eligible for but not receiving SNAP benefits.

Food insecurity among seniors has increased 38% since 2001. By 2050, an estimated 8 million seniors will struggle to put food on the table. SNAP helps older adults stay healthy by improving their nutrition and food security, which can lead to better medication adherence, reduced hospital and nursing home admissions, and lower overall healthcare costs.

SNAP & Seniors Facts

60+

Age that someone can apply for SNAP as a senior

676,000

seniors in NYS relied on SNAP to put food on their tables in 2019.

194,983

Eligible NYS seniors who are not receiving SNAP benefits. (estimated, 2018)

9.7%

of senior households face food insecurity in NYS. (2019)

200%

Seniors get expanded SNAP eligibility with a gross income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level.

SNAP Rules for Seniors

SNAP has special rules (see below) for seniors that expand eligibility, simplify the application process, and increase the benefit amount. Visit our SNAP Prescreening Guide for more information about SNAP eligibility.

Expanded Categorical Eligibility

Households with seniors and/or people with disabilities with a gross income under 200% of the federal poverty limit do not need to meet resource limits or pass the net income test because they are categorically eligible. Those with income over 200% of the federal poverty limit may still be eligible for SNAP but only if their resources are below the resource limit and they pass the net income test.

Separate Household Status for those who are elderly and disabled

If a person lives with others and is both elderly and disabled, they may be able to establish separate household status for SNAP purposes if the income of their “housemates” does not exceed 165% of the federal poverty limit.

Medical Deductions

Seniors who qualify for SNAP may be entitled to a larger monthly benefit by deducting out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35. By reporting these expenses in the SNAP application process, seniors can get even more help paying for food each month. See our SNAP Medical Deduction Worksheet.

Telephone Interviews

Households comprised of all seniors and/or adults with disabilities and no earned income are granted telephone interviews automatically.

Authorized Representatives

SNAP applicants can appoint an “authorized representative” who can apply on their behalf, attend the interview, and the use the EBT card to make purchases, if approved. This option is available to all SNAP applicants, but it is most useful to the elderly and people with disabilities.

Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs. Learn more here: fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program

How to Apply for SNAP

Applicants can apply online at myBenefits or in person at a local DSS or HRA office.

New Simplified SNAP-Only Application for Seniors and People with Disabilities
NYS recently introduced this simplified application as part of a larger effort, known as the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), to simplify the SNAP application/recertification process for these vulnerable populations. Learn more

Need help? Our Nutrition Outreach & Education Program (NOEP) Coordinators help people apply for SNAP. Located across NYS, we offer:

Application assistance, including phone interviews and online application submission
Assistance with submitting documentation.
Assistance with medical deductions. Medical deductions can dramatically affect someone’s potential eligibility for SNAP

Find your local NOEP Coordinator

Programs to Help Seniors Access SNAP

New York State provides multiple pathways to SNAP participation for seniors (age 60+) and people with disabilities. The Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), NYS Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) and the NYS Combined Application Project (NYSCAP) are special projects designed to improve access to SNAP for these vulnerable groups. Specific eligibility requirements determine which route to SNAP a potentially eligible senior or disabled person may take. Senior/disabled households can only be determined eligible to participate in one of these three programs.

ESAP
Seniors and people with disabilities who have no earned income and live in households where all adults are 60 and over and/or disabled can qualify for ESAP. Participants receiving SNAP under ESAP benefit from a simplified application, a longer certification period, and fewer recertification requirements.

NYSNIP & NYSCAP
NYSCAP and NYSNIP automatically enroll seniors and people with disabilities who live alone and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) into SNAP. Beginning December 1, 2021, NYSCAP is replacing NYSNIP, which is phasing out over time. Anyone currently receiving NYSNIP will be transitioned to NYSCAP by December 31, 2024.

Seniors who are ineligible for ESAP and NYSNIP/NYSCAP may still qualify for SNAP. SNAP rules include special provisions that expand access and maximize benefits for seniors and people with disabilities, including expanded categorical eligibility, medical deductions and, in some cases, a higher resource test.

Compare the Programs:

	ESAP	NYSNIP	NYSCAP	SNAP
Who Can Participate	*All* *adults* in household must be seniors or disabled with no earned income	Seniors or disabled who are on SSI and live alone	Seniors or disabled who are on SSI and live alone	Seniors or disabled who are ineligible for ESAP or NYSCAP—may have earned income
Application & Enrollment	Interview required Screened for expedited service Effective Dec. 1, 2021: *New* applicants will be placed in ESAP, if eligible. *Current* SNAP recipients will be placed in ESAP at recertification, if eligible. Apply: LDSS-5166, myBenefits, or AccessHRA	Auto-enrolled No interview required Not screened for expedited service Effective Dec. 1, 2021: NYSNIP transitioning to NYSCAP. *New* participants will be placed in NYSCAP. *Current* NYSNIP participants will be placed in NYSCAP at recertification.	Auto-enrolled No interview required Not screened for expedited service No SNAP application. Eligible participants auto-enrolled based on SNAP office data matching to Social Security Administration coding.	Interview required Screened for expedited service Apply: myBenefits or AccessHRA
Recertification	Every 36 months Documents required No interview required Non-mandatory interim report at 18 months	Every 48 months Documents required Interview required *Mandatory* interim report at 24 months (via phone or mail)	Every 36 months Documents required Interview required *Mandatory* interim report at 18 months (via phone or mail)	Every 12 months Documents required Interview required *Mandatory* change report form at 6 months
Benefits	Individualized budget	Standardized budget	Individualized budget *Participants must* redeem benefits within 90 days of auto-enrollment	Individualized budget *Maximize benefits with:* Categorical eligibility Medical deductions Higher resource test
Documentation	Computer matches for: Unearned income Date of birth Social security number Self-declaration for: Shelter expenses SUA *Participants must submit:* Residency Medical deductions	*Participants must submit* forms to maximize benefits	*Participants must submit* forms to maximize benefits	See SNAP Prescreening Guide for detailed information on SNAP documentation