Rockland Reaching Out To Seniors Over Simplified SNAP Benefits

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Anticipating changes aimed at encouraging more food-insecure older New Yorkers and disabled individuals to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Rockland County's social services officials have been preparing.

The changes announced Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul include simplifying the SNAP application. Starting Wednesday, 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.

"New York's senior and disabled communities were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to food insecurity in some cases and exacerbating it in others," she said. "Allowing easier access to SNAP benefits for these groups will help alleviate this stress.

"No one should have to wonder when their next meal will be and I am proud to take these steps to remove barriers that prevented older adults and disabled individuals on fixed incomes from accessing the food benefits that can help them to put food on the table."

The Rockland Department of Social Services, which handles SNAP applications, implemented the changes to the form in early November. Because of the pandemic, DSS has had a waiver for in-person interviews in place since March of 2020, said county spokesman John Lyon.

In addition, the county's Office for the Aging has shared the information on their social media pages and will be sending out an email blast to all of the clients in their database. OFA has also shared the information with their community partners so they can share with their clients, he said.

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.

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 adults and disabled individuals are enrolled to receive benefits, which is significantly lower than the statewide participation rate estimate of roughly 89 percent.

State officials think the leading reason 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 and disabled residents live on fixed incomes and generally experience far fewer household changes, much less information is required to verify their eligibility and calculate benefits, state officials said.

Studies show that providing SNAP benefits for those 65 and older results in better health outcomes, state officials said. 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.