Food Insecurity Affects Older Adults In Our 13-County Service Area
Before the pandemic, Texas had the fifth-highest rate of senior food insecurity in the nation, with 11% of Texas seniors at risk for hunger. While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt, this figure is likely to have doubled. The state also has some of the lowest rates of senior participation in SNAP. Due to barriers in the application process, only half of the roughly 500,000 income-eligible Texas seniors are enrolled in SNAP.
The legislation creates a simplified certification and recertification process for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants who are senior citizens and/or people with disabilities living on fixed incomes. The simplified requirements include the waiving of the recertification interview, a shortened application form with simplified verification requirements, and a 36-month enrollment period after each certification and recertification. The bill also enacts a data-matching program to notify eligible Medicaid beneficiaries that they are eligible to enroll in SNAP.
Make your voice heard.
Tarrant Area Food Bank is the source of 60 million meals per year for 13 counties. Only with your help will we be able to see that number go down as more people are able to be lifted from food insecurity. At TAFB, we believe that access to food is a right, not a privilege. Your investment in our mission will make that vision possible.