By Kevin Deutsch
Help is on the way for some Broward residents struggling to pay for food.
Low-income adults 50 and older may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federally funded nutrition program that helps recipients purchase food.
The benefit amount for each recipient depends on their household income, high medical or housing costs deductions, and how many people are included in their household.
The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC), a nonprofit organization serving older Broward residents, helps guide applicants through the SNAP application process by phone, serving as a critical resource for seniors and others struggling to cover the rising costs of groceries.
“South Florida seniors are feeling the bite of inflation at the gas pumps, at the grocery stores, and in their rental prices,” said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of AAABC. “Unfortunately, many people are unfamiliar with SNAP, a federal program that may provide much-needed relief for families. If qualified, SNAP can help stretch families’ food budgets. The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County SNAP team is available and ready to assist individuals through the application process.”
The local AAABC grant-funded SNAP program requires that applicants meet the following criteria:
– Be age 50 or older
– Live in the Broward County area
– Require financial assistance
Interested residents can speak with a member of the AAABC team directly and get started with the Broward County SNAP program application process by calling the county’s Elder Help Line at (954) 745-9779, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or emailing the SNAP team at SNAP@adrcbroward.org.
Each completed application will be submitted online to the Florida Department of Children and Families for processing. AAABC will also help applicants track updates regarding their application status. For more information, visit www.adrcbroward.org/snap-food-assistance.
