Blog: Health Care for Older and Low Income Texans

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

Texans Need Improvements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition program to combat food insecurity, helping millions of low-income Americans access food.  Many eligible older Texans eligible for SNAP aren’t enrolled.  The simplified certification and recertification requirements for SNAP, especially for populations of adults ages 60 and older, can help increase and maintain enrollment.

Older Texans living below the poverty line and those between 100% and 200% of the poverty line are at greater risk of food insecurity.  Food insecurity among seniors is expected to increase through 2025, when the youngest baby boomers turn 60.  Seniors that are food insecure are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions such as diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

Populations of adults ages 60 and older at greater risk of food insecurity (i.e. facing the threat of hunger) include:

• Seniors ages 60-64 compared with seniors ages 80 and older.
• Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic seniors compared with white seniors.
• Seniors with disabilities or limitations in performing activities of daily living.

Living conditions that play a role in food insecurity include:

• An older adult living alone
• Areas where access to fresh produce and food is the most limited (food deserts).

Here are the bills we are following that relate to SNAP.

SB 224 / HB 701:  Simplified SNAP certification and recertification requirements for an individual who is 60+ years of age or is a person with a disability; or resides in a household in which every individual residing in the household is 60+ years of age or a person with a disability.

• Use of a shortened application form
• Allow persons a person to comply with eligibility requirements by phone instead of personal appearance if the person and each member of the person’s household are elderly or persons with disabilities or have no earned income.

HB 1230:  Exclude the value of motor vehicles in determining SNAP eligibility.  This bill is important because putting an asset limit on cars at $15,000 (for the first car) and $4,650 (on a family’s second car) limits the number of Texans who meet all other eligibility requirements to qualify for benefits.  These limits are outdated and unrealistic.

• Texas is a big state and people need a vehicle to get to work, school, and medical appointments – especially those living outside of urban areas.
• In crisis situations when many Texans, become unemployed and underemployed, SNAP is a safety net.
• Texas should adopt a simpler, less restrictive policy that enables low-income families to own a reliable vehicle and receive SNAP, making rules consistent with other programs, such as TANF and Medicaid, ensuring that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules do not work against other program’s goals.