| If you are at least age 60 or a disabled American, the Federal Food Stamp program is now more accessible than ever. Special exemptions are available to you:
1. No gross income limits
2. Monthly medical expenses are deductible from your gross income (except the first $35)
3. Resource limits are raised to $3000
These exemptions mean you may be able to afford the fresh, nutritious foods needed for good health!
Good Nutrition for Good health
Good nutrition is essential for good health, especially as people get older. A good diet can prevent or relieve many ailments common to seniors.
For people living on fixed incomes, the risk of suffering from health problems related to a poor diet is greater if they cannot buy enough nutrition food to eat.
Common Food Stamp Myths Concerning Elderly Households:
Myth: The Food Stamp Program is a welfare program.
Fact: The Food Stamp Program is not a welfare program. It is a nutrition assistance
program designed to help low-income individuals and families buy and consume
nutritious foods.
Myth: Elderly people only receive $10 a month in food stamp benefits.
Fact: Our fiscal year 2000 statistics showed:
- elderly people who lived alone received an average of $44 a month; and,
- elderly people not living alone received an average benefit of $116 a month.
Myth: Elderly people cannot own or be buying a home. If they own or are
buying a home, the government will take it.
Fact: Individuals can own or buy a home and still get food stamps. The home and its
lot are not counted as a resource in the Food Stamp Program. The Food Stamp
Program does not require a person to sign away their home.
Myth: Elderly people do not receive credit for medical and prescription drug bills.
Fact: Medical expenses that exceed $35 a month may be deducted. Any out of pocket cost that is not covered by insurance, is deductible.
Myth: Elderly people are only allowed only $2,000 in resources.
Fact: The resources limit for elderly households or households containing one elderly person is up to $3,000. 401K's are not counted, nor are burial accounts.
Myth: Food stamps are only for families with children.
Fact: Food stamps are for eligible individuals and families, including the elderly.
Myth: Elderly people will be taking away from others who need food stamps.
Fact: The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program. In other words, everyone who applies and is eligible will get food stamp benefits.
Myth: Elderly households who receive food stamps will not be able to receive meals-on-wheels.
Fact: Households can receive food stamps and still get meals-on-wheels.
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