New senior income guidelines for food stamps
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

Region - With gas prices over $4 a gallon and basic food costs increasing every day, seniors in the community are feeling the pinch. Thankfully, help is on the way. A recent change in the Food Stamp Program has increased its income requirements, allowing more of the retired population to participate in the program.

Janice Long, director of the Senior Center in Hudson, said that the new guidelines off er a significant increase for seniors over the age of 60. The new income requirements to qualify are a gross monthly incomes of less than $1,734 for an individual and $2,334 for a two-person household.

"Food and gas prices have gone up so much, and seniors' incomes really do not change," Long said.

Director of the Shrewsbury Senior Center Sharon Wager echoed Long's concern for rising food prices.

"Another good thing about the food stamp program is it really promotes healthy food," Wager said. "It helps out with the food that is typically more costly, ... food that many of the seniors with dietary restrictions really need to eat."

The other change in the program, Long explained, is that assets are no longer included in the requirements. Even if a senior owns a car or a house or has some savings in the bank, that senior could still qualify. In the past, seniors with liquid assets over $3,000 have been excluded from the program; now financial assets in the bank are capped at $17,000.

"This is a big deal," Long said. "As a result, thousands more people will qualify."

With more seniors qualifying for food assistance, Long encouraged even seniors with incomes exceeding the posted income levels to apply.

"It is a good thing to go through the process and just see," Long said. "I say [the money is] better in their pocket."

Wager is hopeful that more seniors will consider applying for the benefit.

"This benefit is signifi- cantly underutilized in the community," she said. "It is a very good program and hopefully the changes will encourage more people to look into it."

To determine whether a person qualifies, a formula is used that deducts the costs of living, such as medical expenses, insurance premiums, mortgage and rent, from monthly gross income.

Long said it is easy to get a print-out of what was spent on medical expenses from pharmacies and financial statements from banks back to July 2007. Both directors explained that they have staff in place to assist in the process and stressed that getting assistance with the application through the center is a confidential process.

"I don't know why they even call it 'food stamps' anymore," Long said. "It is an electronic benefit card that looks like a regular credit card."

Wagner said that she is hopeful that the movement to the electronic system and adjustment of income level will help dispel the myth that food stamps are only for those who are destitute.

She explained that often seniors do not use the benefi ts because of the stigma attached to food stamps.

"Seniors are too proud and shy away, ... but it is the tax dollars that they paid for years that are used to support this program," Wagner said.

Long was also pleased that the new regulations have extended the length of time between recertifying, from six months to two years.

For those uncomfortable with discussing their financial information with the local Senior Center councilors, Long suggested that they contact the Project Bread Food Source Hot line at 1-800-645-8333.

With the amount allotted varying on a case-by-case basis, Long said the average amount is $88 a month.

"That is $1,056 a year," she said. "... That is a major help. We want the seniors to put the money in their pocket."

For more information about this or other senior issues, contact your local Senior Center.