AARP: Thousands of older Montanans may be going hungry unnecessarily

HELENA — AARP Montana today urged older Montanans and those who care for them to take advantage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), which can help put food on the table during tough economic times.

According to the USDA, in Montana 62 percent of people who are eligible take advantage of the benefit. “This means that of 125,000 eligible Montanans, only about 77,500 are actually participating -- leaving about 47,500 Montanans that may be going hungry unnecessarily,” said Bob Bartholomew, AARP Montana State Director. “To put that number into perspective, imagine that everyone living in the cities of Butte, Havre and Lewistown combined were going hungry, but didn’t have to.”

Participants get a special debit card to use at most grocery stores, certain senior centers, farmer’s markets and meal delivery services - the card is used just like a credit card and the cost of groceries is deducted from the account balance. New benefits are added automatically every month.

“Today in Montana, an estimated 12,392 people over age 65 are living in poverty,” said Bartholomew. “Many have to choose between going to the grocery store and paying their bills - this isn’t a choice anyone should have to make. The Montana SNAP program can help make ends meet.”

The SNAP program also provides support for lower income working Montanans - people who are eligible for SNAP benefits and live in households in which someone earns income from a job. In Montana, only 56 percent of working Montanans who are eligible take advantage of the program. The average monthly benefit per household is $90 for food.

“We are working to get the word out on this program,” said, Bartholomew. “Montana ranks 36th in participation - that tells me more Montanans need to hear about the program.”

Older Montanans and those who care for them can find everything they need to get started in any state by visiting AARP’s Benefits QuickLINK Web site: www.aarp.org/snap. AARP’s SNAP Map is a one-stop resource to:
    • Fill out a quick on-line survey to determine if people are eligible.
    • Find the local office that gives out food benefits.
    • Get a list of required documents
    • Print out the state application or apply on-line.