Talking points that may help:
- Almost one in 10 (9.5%) Texas seniors are food insecure.
- Many are forced to choose between food and medicine, or food and utilities.
- Food insecurity in seniors exacerbates health problems and increases the cost of health care.
- We can improve the health of our seniors by helping them enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase their access to good nutrition.
- Many seniors are eligible for SNAP but are not enrolled due to barriers in the application process, including difficulty applying online and confusing documentation requirements.
- Applicants are encouraged to use the on-line sign-up at mytexasbenefits.gov, which often causes frustration and confusion to older populations.
- Seniors typically live on a fixed income and have no changes to their statuses.
- Six-month renewal periods are cumbersome for seniors with limited mobility and access to technology or reliable transportation.
- The Texas Legislature can fix this problem by simplifying the SNAP enrollment process for seniors.