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

donita@hungerfreecolorado.org 303-228-7966

Thank you!