ESAP WEBINAR April 11, 2019 Presented by: PHAC SNAP Task Force

1. ESAP WEBINARApril 11, 2019Presented by: PHAC SNAP Task Force

2. Webinar Focus What is SNAP? What IS ESAP? Qualifications How does ESAP work? Why are some seniors and disabled individuals not eligible? Why does ESAP matter to your clientele? Other senior SNAP information.

3. Barriers to Food Access for Seniors • Lack of an accessible, affordable grocery store • Insufficient awareness of and daunting paperwork for nutrition programs • Grandparents providing for grandchildren • Fixed income and demand of other living expenses • Lack of familial support • Lack of transportation • Inability to shop for oneself • Conditions such as dementia • Dietary needs/doctor recommendations or restrictions Getting healthy, affordable food can be a challenge as one grows older, especially due to:

4. FOOD INSECURITY AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, endure material hardships, and experience food insecurity. Lower family income, higher disability-related expenses, and the challenges of providing needed assistance and care to disabled family members can undermine the economic well-being of people with disabilities and their families. People with disabilities are at least twice as likely to live in poverty and struggle to put enough food on the table as people without disabilities. Disabling or chronic health conditions may be made worse by insufficient food or a low-quality diet.

5. What is SNAP? “SNAP” = the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program • Participants get benefits on a debit-like card to purchase groceries • Available to anyone who meets income and eligibility criteria

6. INCOME GUIDELINES Guidelines effective through September 30, 2019. SNAP eligibility is determined by income, household size and age.

7. Why does SNAP matter for Seniors? Lack of nutritious food Stress adds to poor disease management Less $$ for nutritious food Increased health complications Need for care increases medical costs Only 1 in 3 eligible seniors receive SNAP benefits! Food insecurity puts people at high risk for long term health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Seniors who are low-income and use SNAP : Have overall better health outcomes and lower health costs Are more likely to take prescribed dosage of medications Have fewer hospitalizations

8. WHAT IS ESAP? • Elderly Simplified Application Process • ESAP is a simplified application, verification and recertification process for households with disabilities and individuals over age 60.

9. QUALIFICATIONS • ESAP is available to households that meet all of the following criteria: • Every member in the household is at least 60 years old, has a disability or both. • Household income is unearned only. • Example: Household member receives social security, retirement or disability. • A household includes everyone that purchases and prepares meals together.

10. WHY DOES ESAP MATTER TO YOUR CLIENTELE? • Simplified application process means: • With fewer irrelevant questions the application is completed quicker • Because CAO uses data matching, seniors need to provide very little documentation • Get benefits more timely • Recertification period extended to 3 years • Annual re-certifications do not require phone interviews • Lowers likelihood of lost benefits

11. HOW DOES ESAP WORK? • Simple, two-page application. (Online version is also simplified) • Very few documents are required, if any, to verify eligibility. • ESAP households have a 36-month certification period. • Renewal forms need to be completed at the end of its certification period. • No interview is required at recertification for ESAP households unless the household requests one or if the household is no longer eligible for ESAP. • ESAP’s households will receive a letter 12 months after the date SNAP eligibility is authorized and every year after that. • If any of the following changes exist the ESAP household must contact the CAO: • Change in address • Change in household composition • New job • Changes in income • Changes in medical expenses

12. WHY ARE SOME SENIORS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ESAP? Live in a SNAP household with someone under the age of 60 who isn’t disabled. They have earned income. Either of the factors above could make a household ineligible at time of application or recertification. They can still apply for benefits using the full application, and do reporting every 6 months.

13. WHAT INFORMATION DO SENIORS PROVIDE TO APPLY? Name, SSN, birthdate, address Monthly income Shelter expenses such as rent, mortgage, property tax or homeowner’s insurance Which utilities they pay for If they have medical expenses (insurance premiums, co-pays, etc.) Authorized Representative (optional)

14. ADDITIONAL SNAP SENIOR INFORMATION Asset testing eliminated – there is no savings limit. Reporting medical expenses over $35 per month can increase the benefit amount. Authorized Representative - they can have someone authorized to talk to DHS on their behalf $16 minimum benefit ($576 over the three year certification). Average benefit is $128 per month.

15. ADDITIONAL SNAP SENIOR INFORMATION SNAP benefits can redeemed at some farmers markets Some home delivered meal programs also accept SNAP as a form of payment

16. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Encourage applications • Share information about SNAP

17. SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT SNAP Educate all staff, faith leaders, other community members about SNAP and to refer residents for help applying. Post and put SNAP information in bulletins, newsletters, or other items given or mailed to the congregation or community. Host a food tasting, cooking demo, or health fair with healthy, easy to prepare recipes, along with SNAP information.

18. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Encourage applications • Share information about SNAP • Help dispel myths

19. ENCOURAGING ACCESS TO SNAP: DISPEL MYTHS • 1) I’m probably only eligible for $16, that’s not worth applying. • The range for one person is $16-194/month; the average benefit for seniors is about $100/month (for households with a member with a disability, the average is $210/month). • Benefits roll over up to six months, so you can save for bulk shopping. Even at the minimum that adds up to $96 • Seniors and those receiving disability benefits (SSI or SSD) can count medical expenses, which can increase benefits • 2) I don’t want to take away money from someone else. Others need it more than I do. • SNAP is not a capped program; there is no limit to the number of people who can participate. Anyone eligible can enroll. • By applying, you are not taking benefits away from others.

20. ENCOURAGING ACCESS TO SNAP: DISPEL MYTHS • 3) The last time I checked, I wasn’t eligible due to my savings • Pennsylvania no longer has an Asset Test for SNAP, so savings are no longer a factor • Eligibility is based on household size, gross monthly income & allowable expenses • If it’s a one or two person household, if they are under the income limit then they are eligible for at least the minimum. • 4) Applying is too hard • Applying a lot simpler. • You can apply over the phone, in person, online, or even via a paper application by mail • Someone can help you complete the application if you need help.

21. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Encourage applications • Share information about SNAP with seniors that your serve • Help dispel myths • Offer referrals to places providing application assistance: • DHS Statewide Customer Service Center: 1.877.395.8930 • 2-1-1 • Know your local DHS SNAP Participation Partner

23. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Encourage applications • Share information about SNAP with seniors that your serve • Help dispel myths • Offer referrals to places providing application assistance: • DHS Statewide Customer Service Center: 1.877.395.8930 • 2-1-1 • Know your local DHS SNAP Participation Partner • Advocate

24. WHAT CAN YOU DO: ADVOCATE We advocate at the local, state, and federal levelfor responsible policy solutions to hunger Legislative advocacy Influencing laws and funding levels Administrative advocacy Influencing government rules, regulations, and policies Program advocacy Influencing how programs are implemented on the ground

25. WHAT CAN YOU DO: ADVOCATE SNAP is Critical for Pennsylvania • Meets basic food & nutrition needs while maintaining dignity • Encourages self-sufficiency • Redirects money to meet other essential needs • Boosts the economy (every $5 of SNAP generates $9 in economic activity) In 2016, SNAP helped lift 340,000 Pennsylvanians out of poverty

26. WHAT CAN YOU DO: ADVOCATE SNAP is Critical for Pennsylvania • Every $1 of SNAP benefits generates an estimated $1.70 economic activity, which means a more than $4.6B bump to the state’s economy in 2016 • A 10% cut in SNAP in PA would result in a loss of 3,611 jobs • PA SNAP spending accounts for more than 10% of all spending on food purchased to be eaten at home SNAP not only helps participants, but also: • Retailers • Landlords • Utility companies • Farmers • Our entire economy

27. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP, aka “Senior Boxes”) Provides income-eligible seniors age 60+ with a 30 pound box of nutritious food each month. Income guidelines are lower than SNAP (130% of poverty) Senior Farmer’s Market Vouchers (SFMNP) SFMNP provides low-income seniors with $20 coupons for Pennsylvania grown produce (eligible items: fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs) at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. Community Meals are held throughout the state at locations like Senior Centers, churches, and community centers. They offer a place to enjoy a meal in a group setting. Home delivered meals (such as Meals on Wheels) For more information, contact: The Aging and Disability Resource Center Toll Free Helpline: 1-800-753-8827 or contact your local Area Agency on Aging

28. RESOURCES • Brochures & information: http://bit.ly/SNAPolderadults • Flier with medical expense deduction information: https://bit.ly/2Ijb5en • Paper ESAP application forms: http://bit.ly/simpleSNAP • SFMNP, Congregate Meals, and Home delivered meals: your local area agency on aging