The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (most people still call it “food stamps”), helps millions of Americans with low incomes put food on the table each month. On average, those who qualify receive around $300 monthly to help cover grocery costs. Even though the program supports more than 40 million people, there’s a huge number of older adults missing out—especially those over 50.
Despite being eligible, roughly 16 million Americans over the age of 50 haven’t applied for SNAP. A lot of that comes down to confusion, lack of information, and hurdles in the application process. Official numbers show that over 44 million households currently receive SNAP benefits, but the system can be tricky. Eligibility is based on income and poverty levels, and each state has its own specific rules for applying. While the money comes from the federal government through the USDA, individual states are in charge of handling applications and distributing funds, which sometimes leads to inconsistencies in how people are informed or guided through the process.
What actually SNAP Benefits
A report from the AARP Public Policy Institute found that nearly 60% of low-income seniors aged 60 and up who qualify for SNAP aren’t enrolled. That’s not just a stat—it’s millions of people missing out on help they could really use. In 2022, for example, more than 16 million Americans over 50 didn’t tap into these benefits, even though they were eligible.
Olivia Dean, a senior policy advisor with AARP, pointed out just how big of a problem this is. She said many older adults are missing out on support that could really make a difference in their lives.
The issue becomes even more urgent when you consider how many older adults are facing food insecurity. In 2023 alone, over 12.6 million people over 50 had limited access to healthy food because of tight finances. That’s where SNAP is supposed to come in—but it can only help if people actually sign up.
Minimum Age for the SNAP Benefits
SNAP is federally funded, but because states and even counties are the ones managing it day-to-day, there can be a lot of red tape. Many seniors end up receiving only the minimum monthly benefit—just $20. And with food prices being what they are, that amount doesn’t go far. In fact, based on the average cost of a meal in 2022 (about $3.99), $20 might only cover five meals. That’s not enough to make a dent in someone’s grocery bill, and it often discourages people from applying in the first place.
Still, there’s more to the story. According to AARP, nearly 3.3 million older adults could be eligible for much higher benefits—up to $300 a month. But because of the complexity of the process, the stigma around government help, or the belief that it’s not worth the trouble, many seniors don’t apply.=
In short, while there’s no minimum age to apply for SNAP, you do need to meet certain income and resource limits—and older adults are often eligible but unaware. Whether it’s because of misinformation, frustration with the system, or simply thinking it’s not for them, too many seniors are going without a resource that could help them afford basic, healthy food.
