Helping People An Update on Senior Hunger Get More Out of Life NCSL Foundation Hunger Partnership Business Meeting August 14, 2013
The Problem Nearly 9 million older adults face the risk of hunger annually. Food insecurity is defined as: the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially appropriate ways Food Insecurity leads to: Lower intake of energy and major vitamins and an increased likelihood to be in poor health. Impairments in physical function, diminished immune response, depression, and social isolation, among other effects.
Most Affected Groups Household incomes at or below 200% FPL African-Americans and Hispanics Those who have never married, are divorced, or widowed Renters Those with grandchildren present in the household Those living in the South and Southwest Figure 7b: State Food Insecurity Rates for Adults Age 50 and Older Alaska Hawaii % food insecure 7.78-12.99 6.51-7.78 5.50-6.51 2.53-5.50
AARP Foundation AARP Foundation works with struggling people 50+ to regain confidence as good providers and members of their communities. Four focus areas: hunger, income, housing, and isolation. Efforts to Fight Hunger: Awareness Raising Short-term Support SNAP Outreach Grantmaking Research and Thought Leadership
The Need for Outreach Low Participation Rates Among Older Adults 50-59 60+ Only 56% of income eligible 50-59 year olds are enrolled in SNAP Only 34% of income eligible adults 60 and older are enrolled in SNAP Why don t they apply? Poor customer service Lack of information about how to apply Perceived low benefit amount Seasonal income variation Frequent need to recertify Why don t they apply? Embarrassment or pride Unfamiliarity with program rules Unfamiliarity with eligibility criteria Application process is too hard
Individual Impact SNAP helps reduce food insecurity and improve job and health outcomes. Less time spent worrying about meeting daily food needs Increased learning capacity Reduced levels of illness, depression, and anxiety Better job and health outcomes
Community Impact The Lifecycle of a SNAP Dollar $ $ State SNAP Agency Households win: Average benefit: 1 person = $156/month Household of 3 = $469/month Minimum benefit: $16/month Local economies win: Every $1 of SNAP benefits generates $1.79 for the local economy $1 billion of retail food demand by SNAP recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs $ $
AARP Makes a Difference In 2012: Over 15,000 application submissions 250 member volunteers engaged $14,000,000 in annualized SNAP benefits $26,000,000 in local economic activity
Outreach, Training and Partnership Efforts Outreach: Alaska Public television program on SNAP with KTOO Arizona Public radio series; ten episodes on senior hunger on Spanish radio New Jersey Direct mail campaign to PAAD recipients, new PAAD enrollees Train-the-Trainer: Idaho Web-based SNAP training curriculum for community partners with a senior specific module VISTA project Placing VISTAs at 13 AARP state offices to increase capacity to do SNAP outreach and application assistance
Outreach, Training and Partnership Efforts (cont d) Partnership: Iowa Statewide senior outreach campaign in partnership with Iowa Food Bank Association Kansas Bob box partnership with Kansas Food Bank and Senator Bob Dole with a letter about the importance of SNAP Alabama Alabama State Food Policy Council with Auburn University and several other key stakeholders North Carolina Senior SNAP hotline with NC Legal Services D.C. Peer to peer application assistance project with Urban League of Greater Washington, D.C.
State Advocacy Massachusetts: Photo ID on EBT cards, exempts elderly and people with disabilities Minnesota: Nutritious Food Coalition; simplified SNAP application from 10 pages to one page New York: Coalition work & Super Storm Sandy New Jersey: Super Storm Sandy
AARP Georgia FY 09 SNAP Participation Rate for Seniors (60+) was 23% 311,000 Georgians 60+ eligible but not receiving SNAP USDA State Food Insecurity Ranking, 2008-2010 was 5th Over 9 months ending June 30, 2013: Applications submitted through our efforts = 1850 Estimated benefit amount = $1,426,800 Estimated local economic impact* = $2,553,972 * using 1.79 as the economic impact generator as provided by USDA s Economic Research Service
Thank You! Contacts for More Information Diana Noel, MPA Senior Legislative Representative Government Affairs State Advocacy and Strategy Integration AARP National Office Email: dnoel@aarp.org Kathy Floyd Associate State Director, Advocacy AARP Georgia Email: kfloyd@aarp.org