WINCHESTER, VA – In Virginia, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides essential support to low-income seniors, helping them secure food and improve their quality of life.
According to the National Council on Aging, despite this, a significant number of older adults in Virginia remain unenrolled.
Nationally, about 60% of eligible seniors are not taking advantage of SNAP, leaving approximately 5 million older adults across the country without these crucial benefits.
For Virginia seniors who do participate in SNAP, the average monthly benefit is around $118, though many could receive more by utilizing deductions for medical expenses, according to the National Council on Aging.
According to the National Council on Aging, unfortunately, only 16% of seniors use the excess medical expense deduction, which allows out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 to be deducted from gross income, potentially increasing their monthly SNAP benefits.
Beyond helping seniors access food, SNAP also boosts Virginia’s local economy—every $1 in SNAP benefits generates an estimated $1.79 in economic activity.