Senior Hunger in Colorado:An Aging Population, a Growing Need
Hunger Free Colorado• Hunger Free Colorado is the state’s leading
anti-hunger organization leveraging the power of collaboration, system change, policy change and social change to end hunger in Colorado
• No Kid Hungry Campaign• Hunger Free Hotline• PEAK Train the Trainer• Application Assistance/Volunteer Programs• Older Adult Nutrition Programs
Senior Hunger in Colorado
An issue defined by:• The need in
Colorado• The gaps in services• The opportunities to
solve this issue• The partnerships
required
Senior Population
2010 Population Statistics for Coloradans Total 60+ Populations: 818,905
Male: 45.9% Female: 54.1%• 61% of older adults are not aware of
programs they may qualify for • Less than 10% of qualifying Colorado seniors are enrolled in SNAP
The Need in Colorado
The Need in Colorado
Economic Insecurity• Majority of retired workers
over age 65 rely on social security, averaging only $13,788 per year in income
• 18% of all seniors are food insecure
• 28% of disabled seniors are food insecure
• Largest expense is health care
How We MeasureFood Security: All people having access at all times to enough food for an active healthy life.Conditions of Food Insecurity• Concerns of having enough food for the household• Inability to acquire enough food for the household• Disrupted eating habits: Reduced amounts of food,
missed meals, and/or no money or resources to acquire food
Food Insecurity: Reports of 3 or more insecure conditions over a year time span.Very Low Food Insecurity: Reports of 4 or more insecure conditions within a year time span.
A Snapshot of Food Insecurity
• Vast majority of food insecure seniors are not homebound
A Snapshot of Food Insecurity
• Yet expenditures for these populations are almost equal
The Current Services
• Delivered Meals: for homebound seniors• Congregate Meals: for mobile seniors able to
go to a community meal• Commodities Supplemental Food Program
(CSFP): all eligible seniors, income dependent
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): all eligible seniors, income dependent
The Opportunities Increase SNAP participation through:• Outbound calling/Service Provider’s• Application assistance at senior centers• Minimizing service barriers by creating
delivery options (SNAP will not pay grocery delivery fees for seniors and disabled)
• Educating at all levels
Qualifications Specific to Seniors/Disabled
• Higher Income Guidelines• Deductions for Monthly Medical Expenses
over $35.00… NO CAP• Additional Shelter Deduction • Phone Interviews• 12 month
Redeterminations
Benefit AmountsSingle: Maximum benefit is $200 and average is $120.Couple: Maximum benefit is $367. Elderly/ disabled who share food but want a separate case, may qualify at 165% of Gross Income.
Biggest complaint: participant is getting only the minimum amount of $16.00!
Would you pass up $16 you saw on the street?
That equals $192.00 a year!!
$16 can buy…
• Staples like coffee, flour, sugar, rice, dried beans and peas, pasta, peanut butter, prunes, oatmeal, and cereal. Also, canned foods like fruits, vegetables, soups, tuna, and salmon are affordable and can be easily stored.
• The benefits can be saved from month to month, and used for store specials!
QuestionsWill receiving benefits take away from a
family who may need it more?The SNAP Program is an entitlement
program. In other words, everyone who applies and who is determined to be eligible will get SNAP benefits.
There is not a limited amount of benefits available. This is a federally funded program, paid from by your taxes!
QuestionsDo I have to adopt my Grandchildren who
live with me, in order to sign us up for SNAP?
You do not have to adopt any children in your household in order to apply for SNAP benefits. As long as no other family member is claiming them on another case, you can apply for benefits for yourself and the children. You must have access to their SS#’s and birth certificates or photo I. D.’s.
QuestionsWill you still be able to receive meals-on-
wheels?
Households can receive SNAP and still get meals-on-wheels. In fact, households who are currently paying cash for their meals can save money because SNAP can be used to purchase the meals.
Health & Nutrition?OR Nutrition &
Health?• Majority of persons who maintain a healthy
diet, have all around better health• Onset of disease, can many times, be delayed
by proper nutrition and diet • 91% of older adults have at least one chronic
condition, diet can help control disease, as well as increase quality of life, and independent living!
Economic BenefitsFor example:• Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in total community spending. That’s $97,200,000.00 in Colorado alone!
• Every additional dollar’s worth of SNAP benefits generates 17 to 47 cents of new retail spending.
• On average, $1 billion of retail food demand by SNAP recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs.
Economic Benefits
• SNAP recipients are able to spend more on food at local retailers than eligible non-participants because they have additional assistance with their food budget.
The OpportunitiesRaise awareness of existing programs
SNAP; CSFP; TEFAP• Outreach to medical providers focused on
senior population• Outreach to senior service providers • Outreach to all senior individuals who might
not know they qualify!
Hunger Free Hotline
• Confidential Personal Screening * Bi-lingual• Clients Receive Customized Referrals
* Federal programs * Age Specific Programs * Charitable Food Organizations
• SNAP Application Information & Assistance• Toll-Free Number• FREE OUTREACH
PACKAGES
Spread the word… Sign
someone up!Imagine how SNAP benefits could help a person
who is eligible for the program.Help those in need around you by sharing the
information you learned today!
You can be the first step in helping others or yourself.
There’s a Place for You at the Table Contact Hunger Free Colorado
www.hungerfreecolorado.org Donita L. Rafferty MPH
Older Adult Nutrition Associate [email protected]
303-228-7966
Thank you!