SNAP and Underserved Oregonians

1. SNAP and Underserved Oregonians

2. SNAP • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly food stamps • SNAP benefits are 100% federal food dollars with states and FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) sharing 50% of administrative costs • SNAP is administered by the USDA through FNS • SNAP is the cornerstone of the federal food assistance programs, serving more than 45 million people each month • More than half of recipients are children • 51% of all Americans will use SNAP during their lifetime

3. Oregon SNAP Facts • Almost 800,000 Oregonians receive SNAP each month • 1 in 5 Oregonians • Only about 70% of eligible households are participating

4. Economic Stimulus • SNAP brought more than $1 billion federal food dollars into Oregon in both 2010 and 2011 • USDA estimates each $1 billion in SNAP results in an increase of 16,400 private-sector jobs in: • Farming • Livestock • Food processing and food transportation • Rural and urban grocery stores • Each $1 in SNAP creates $1.79 in economic activity

5. SNAP Eligibility in Oregon • Federal policy options allow for Expanded Categorical Eligibility • This means like WIC and school meals – SNAP uses 185% of the FPL • No resource limit for most households! • Monthly benefits range: • Individuals $16 to $200 with average of $130 • Households average $250 • Senior households average $90

6. Benefits with SNAP eligibility • OTAP (Oregon Telephone Assistance Program) • Free school meals • WIC (Women, Infants and Children) • Deferral of student loans (no interest accrues for subsidized loans) • Farm Direct Nutrition Program for seniors (FPL is lower) • $5 music, theater and dance tickets http://www.portlandchamberorchestra.org/music-for-all

7. SNAP Outreach Resources

8. SafeNet/211info • 1-800-SAFENET (part of 211 info) • Statewide toll-free information hotline • www.211info.org • Dial 211 from some phones • Information and Referral specialists available from 8AM to 6PM Monday-Friday (including holidays) • Pre-screening for eligibility • Locate nearest SNAP office • Remind what to bring to the office • Advocate with access issues • Assistance in 150 different languages • Monthly SNAP call reports

9. Other SNAP Outreach Tools • DHS SNAP calculator at https://apps.state.or.us/fsestimate/ • DHS • General purpose brochure • Senior brochure • More Reasons bookmark • Other materials: • Senior flier • Senior power point presentations

10. Myths and Messaging

11. “We’re not eligible because we have money in the bank and own our home and cars.” • Unlike many other states, Oregon does not look at resources for most SNAP households • This helps stabilize middle and working class families whose income has dropped • Unfortunately many families go through their resources before turning to SNAP

12. “Using SNAP dollars places a burden on Oregon’s economy” • SNAP benefits are 100% federal dollars - providing an important support for Oregon communities • More than $1 billion federal tax dollars are returned to Oregon’s economy each year, supporting local grocery stores and farmer’s markets and the people they employ

13. “Other people need those dollars more than I do.” • More people than ever before are using SNAP today due to the economy • The program is funded federally each year to cover everyone who is eligible • SNAP money expands and contracts as needed • If eligible but not receiving benefits, you are not saving them for someone else, you are just not bringing those federal dollars back to Oregon

14. Underserved Oregonians • Seniors • Latinos • Rural populations • Students

15. Seniors • Across the nation 2 out of 3 eligible not participating • WA County focus groups; barriers and messaging • Prescreening and information at senior sites • Healthy Elders Healthy Communities faith-based outreach

16. Latinos Many adults are ineligible for SNAP • May safely apply for children or other family members Barriers to applying include fear of: • Public Charge” against citizenship • Sponsor deeming • Immigrant reporting • Misinformation from trusted sources

17. Rural Populations Barriers include: • Misinformation • Stigma • Transportation issues • Lack of SNAP authorized stores

18. Students Able-bodied students age 18-49 may qualify if they are: • Working for pay an average of 20 hours per week • Single with a child under 12 • Married with a child under 6 • Taking employer-sponsored classes • Working any hours in a work-study job

19. New Policy for Students Beginning October 1, 2011 • Students receiving employment benefits are exempt from the student work requirement • Students receiving state or federal financial aid who have an award of work study are exempt from the student work requirement if the school has no work study jobs available

20. Policy and Recommendations • Federal Farm Bill reauthorization in 2012 • PHFO recommendations for students, VISTA’s, immigrants, nutrition incentives • Full list of PHFO recommendations at www.oregonhunger.org

21. Nancy Weed, MSWSNAP Outreach Coordinatornancy@oregonhunger.org503-595-5501, Ext. 308

22. SNAP and Underserved Oregonians • Nancy Weed, PHFO • Sue Porter, DHS • Suzan Miller, Univision • John Elizalde, OFRAH • Karen Wagner, CAPECO • Judith Auslander, PHFO

23. Agenda • SNAP overview • Panel presentations • SNAP Impact in Rural and Urban Areas • Senior outreach • Faith based outreach • Rural outreach • Latino outreach • 3. Small group discussion on barriers and strategies • 4. Large group report out

24. Small group work • Select group of interest • Appoint note taker and spokesperson • Answer and discuss 4 questions • Record ideas on chart paper • Report back to large group

25. Small group questions 1. Why are eligible (people) not getting their SNAP benefits? 2. What are some strategies that might help? 3. What is the best way to reach underserved people? • Printed brochures – what type of messaging? • Internet; TV; radio, newspapers – ideas? 4. If you had funding for outreach, what would you do?