Meals at Senior Centers and Meals on Wheels are both programs that exist through the OAA. Senior Centers generally offer several meals a week for a small fee; in Tucson, these are called “communal meals.” In addition, some people have meals delivered to them at home through the Meals on Wheels program (again for a small fee). Meals on Wheels personnel also check up on the safety of the people receiving meals and provide some interaction.
While some people need Meals-on-wheels temporarily by people when they’re recovering from illness or surgery, others may use this service for an indefinite period. It’s available to people 60 and over, regardless of income, but there are waiting lists in many communities, and others have no service at all. For more information about these programs, contact your local AAA.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for food at farmers markets, community supported agricultural programs, and roadside stands. Recipients can buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. During the harvest season (which may vary in length from year to year), low income seniors above age 60 years can benefit from this program. This program is administered through either the state department of agriculture or the state Office on Aging. To find out how to apply in your state, check out the SFMNP website.
Food stamps now come under the name Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Recipients get a debit card which can be used to buy any food or food products intended for human consumption, including seeds and food plants. The food stamp card can’t be used to buy alcohol, cigarettes or cigars, restaurant food, or hot food products that you would immediately eat. The food stamp card can also be used to pay for home-delivered Meals on Wheels and meals served at authorized senior centers.
Food stamp applications are available at Social Security offices. After you apply, your County Department of Job & Family Services (CDJFS) will assess your financial eligibility and figure out whether you’re eligible for assistance and how much assistance you’ll get.
To be eligible, your assets (not including your home, car, pension, and burial fund) may not exceed $3,000 and you must meet an income limit, which varies from state to state and year to year. If you qualify, you’ll receive your food stamp card no later than 30 days after the CDJFS received your application. If you’re denied food stamps and still believe that you qualify, or if you think you should receive more than you were awarded, call the CDJFS within 90 days from the date the decision is mailed to you to request a hearing. If a decision is made to reduce your food stamp amount, file a request for a hearing within 15 days of the mailing of the notice so you can have the amount of food stamps you currently receive continue during the period of your appeal.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. You must be at least 60 years old and have an income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to qualify. Participants in this program receive a free box of commodities once a month which generally includes milk, cereal, juice, pasta, rice, oatmeal, beans, peanut butter, cheese, canned meat, and canned fruits and vegetables. If you’re approved for this program, you would most likely pick up the box at a distribution point such as a food bank, hospital, or other community organization. In some communities, the boxes are delivered to participants who are unable to pick them up. CSFP operates in 32 states, the District of Columbia, and two Native American reservations in South Dakota and Minnesota.