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Integrating benefit systems so that older adults can apply for multiple benefits through a single application.AARP Foundation encourages more states to adopt these policy options to address pain points seniors face in SNAP participation. Referred to as the “Elderly Simplified Application Project,” participating states offer shortened application forms, waivers of certain interviews, and more time to complete certifications. Expanding adoption of simplified applications for elderly applicants: Some states allow certain flexibilities to make it easier for seniors to apply for, and maintain, SNAP benefits for which they qualify.The report notes that the Standard Medical Deduction could reduce burdens for applicants, increase SNAP benefits for those with documented medical expenses by reducing the net income used to calculate those benefits, and creating a set of newly-eligible individuals who may now qualify for SNAP benefits with medical expenses deducted from net income calculations. AARP Foundation recommends implementing this deduction, called the “Standard Medical Deduction,” across the country and increasing training for caseworkers to make it even more effective for older SNAP participants. In certain states, states provide a standard deduction to SNAP eligibility determinations to account for documented medical expenses more than $35 for seniors and those with disabilities. Simplifying rules regarding medical expenses.
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AARP Foundation’s recommendations include:ĭivide And Conquer: How Ross Franklin Turns Pure Green Into A Cold Pressed Juice Empire By Leveraging Leaner Infrastructure And Crowdfunding Given the history of low SNAP participation among seniors and their increased need during the pandemic, the AARP Foundation proposed in its report a number of policy recommendations to promote SNAP enrollment for older Americans. According to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of AARP Foundation, “as states end their emergency declarations in the coming weeks and months, SNAP participants will see their benefits drop,” with this decrease constituting “a very steep cliff that will surprise many older SNAP recipients.” Ryerson’s recommendation was clear: “More needs to be done to inform older Americans about these changes.” Individuals in the following states may see their SNAP allotments fall precipitously: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Now, at least seven states have announced that they will be ending these emergency declarations, and in turn, the SNAP emergency allotments. These emergency allotments rely upon the state issuing an emergency or disaster declaration, which all states had in place as of January 2021. During the pandemic, states provided SNAP households with emergency allotments, which have allowed low-income households to receive $95 or more in additional SNAP funds per month. These participation problems are exacerbated as states are allowing emergency food stamp allotments to expire, which may dramatically affect the benefit levels for participating households.