Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series Part Three ......6 Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by...

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Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020 © 2014 National Council on Aging

Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series

Part Three: Troubleshooting Applications and

Handling Appeals

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Online: www.readytalk.com, passcode:4796976

Audio: 866.740.1260, passcode:4796976

http://www.readytalk.com/

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Speakers

Ty Jones, Senior

Policy Analyst, Center

on Budget & Policy

Priorities (CBPP)

Lura Barber, Senior Program

Manager, Hunger Initiatives,

National Council on Aging

(NCOA)

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What We’ll Cover Today

Introductions

Why troubleshooting and appeals matter

Overview of common issues

Case studies

Resources

Q&A

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NCOA - National Council on Aging

NCOA is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization

representing older adults and the community organizations that

serve them.

Our mission is to improve the health and economic security of

millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and

disadvantaged.

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CBPP - Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

CBPP is one of the nation’s premier policy organizations working

at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public

programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and

individuals.

One area of work for CBPP is the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program. For example, we design and promote state

options to simplify and streamline SNAP procedures and thereby

boost participation among working poor families.

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Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series

Part One: Why SNAP is Important for Seniors (March 25, 2014)

• Video: http://vimeo.com/90118389

• Handouts: http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/March-2014-

webinar.pdf

Part Two: Establishing Eligibility and Maximizing Benefits (May 27, 2014)

• Video: http://vimeo.com/96700540

• Handouts: http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/May-2014-

webinar.pdf

• Scenarios: http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/Scenarios-for-NCOA-

webinar-series.pdf

Part Three: Troubleshooting Applications and Handling Appeals

• August 27, 2014

Part Four: Using SNAP Benefits and Recertification

• October 29, 2014

http://vimeo.com/90118389

http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/March-2014-webinar.pdf









http://vimeo.com/96700540

http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/May-2014-webinar.pdf









http://www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/center-for-benefits/Scenarios-for-NCOA-webinar-series.pdf













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Why Bother?

The process is not easy – especially for our clients

State agency has an interest in accuracy and program

performance

Application assistance doesn’t end at application

submission

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Common Issues

SNAP application denied

Benefit amount is lower than estimated

Incomplete documentation/accounting for deductions

Delayed determination of award

SNAP benefit revoked

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Scenario – SSI Recipient living alone

Lizzie

• 70 years old

• Lives alone

• $721 SSI monthly income

• Receives Medicare and Medicaid

• Owns her home in D.C.

SNAP Benefit Amount estimate: $83*

*see Webinar 2 for calculations

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Denied benefits -- What Does She Do?

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Sample Fair Hearing Language

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Appeal Process

Denial Notice Received

• Clients have 90 days to appeal decision

• The request for appeal can be oral or in writing.

Fair Hearing

• The hearing officer is impartial.

• Clients can bring a representative

• Can look over case file prior to hearing.

• At local office.

Decision

• Decision must be received 60 days of receipt of request for fair hearing.

• In writing and explains decision and reason.

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Scenario: Retired Couple/Disabled Senior

Tim and Tina

• Both are 66

• Own their home and live in

Maryland

• Monthly retirement income =

$1,000

• SSDI income = $1,100

SNAP Benefit Amount estimate:

$122* *see Webinar 2 for calculations

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Incorrect Benefit Amount – What do they do?

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Proof of medical/health care expenses

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Verification of Transportation

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Scenario: Grandparent with Grandchild

Cheryl and her granddaughter Jessica

• Cheryl is 62

• Jessica is 8

• Live in Virginia and rent

• Cheryl works part-time at a library

• Earned income is $1,200 a month

• They receive $200 in child support

SNAP Benefit Amount is $318*

*see Webinar 2 for calculations

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Application Processing Delay– What Does She Do?

Cheryl applied for benefits on July 1st and it is now August 4th and she has not heard anything back from the agency.

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Cheryl’s Process to Resolve Issue

Calls the number on the application.

Talks with operator and then supervisor.

Makes copies of documents and resubmits.

Receives decision.

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Tips to Remember

States are concerned with application timeliness. They are monitored

by FNS.

Your local legal aid organizations may be able to assist you with

appeals. www.lsc.gov/find-legal-aid.

Don’t give up. If something doesn’t make sense contact someone. If

you don’t agree with the decision, you can appeal.

http://www.lsc.gov/find-legal-aid





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NCOA’s Resources for Seniors and SNAP

BenefitsCheckUp® screening tool:

https://www.benefitscheckup.org/getsnap/

SNAP Map - https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap

• Use the SNAP Map to find food programs in your state and download apps.

Senior Hunger Webpage: www.ncoa.org/SeniorHunger

• Data

• Promising Practices

• Client Stories

• Funding opportunities

• Webinars and trainings

Senior SNAP Enrollment Toolkit: http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-

security/SeniorHunger/senior-snap-enrollment.html



https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap

https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap

http://www.ncoa.org/SeniorHunger

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/SeniorHunger/senior-snap-enrollment.html










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CBPP’s Resources for Seniors and SNAP

“SNAP’s Excess Medical Expense Deduction: Targeting Food Assistance

to Low-Income Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities.”

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=4189

“A Quick Guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits.”


“Online Services for Key Low-Income Benefit Programs. What States

Provide Online with Respect to SNAP, TANF, Child Care Assistance,

Medicaid, and CHIP.”


Upcoming Webinar Series: “SNAP Academy” register here: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/478074623







https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/478074623

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Research on Seniors, Hunger, and SNAP

Feeding America – Hunger in America 2014

http://help.feedingamerica.org/HungerInAmerica/hunger-in-america-

2014-full-report.pdf

National Foundation to End Senior Hunger – State of Senior Hunger in

America 2012 http://www.nfesh.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/State-

of-Senior-Hunger-in-America-2012.pdf

AARP - Food Insecurity Among Older Adults

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/aarp_foundation/pdf_2011/AAR

PFoundation_HungerReport_2011.pdf

Fact sheets with quick stats on senior hunger:

• Meals on Wheels: http://www.mowaa.org/about-senior-hunger

• Feeding America: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-

america/hunger-facts/senior-hunger.aspx

• FRAC: http://frac.org/initiatives/addressing-senior-hunger/

http://help.feedingamerica.org/HungerInAmerica/hunger-in-america-2014-full-report.pdf












http://www.nfesh.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/State-of-Senior-Hunger-in-America-2012.pdf
















http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/aarp_foundation/pdf_2011/AARPFoundation_HungerReport_2011.pdf




http://www.mowaa.org/about-senior-hunger





http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/senior-hunger.aspx









http://frac.org/initiatives/addressing-senior-hunger/





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Questions?

Next webinar:

Using SNAP benefits and recertification

October 29, 2014 – 3:00 pm EST

Lura Barber, [email protected]

Ty Jones, [email protected]

Sign up to become part of the Senior SNAP movement!

Email [email protected] to join the SNAP Partners Listserv

mailto:[email protected]



Seniors and SNAP Webinar Series Part Three ......6 Improving the lives of 10 million older adults by...

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