Summary: In 1998, about 1.6 to 2 million households with individuals age 60 and older reported that they did not have enough of the right types of food to maintain nutrition or simply did not have enough to eat, despite programs like the Food Stamp Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Elderly Nutrition Program, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Nevertheless, many are reluctant to accept nutrition assistance. Some older persons believe that accepting food assistance will compromise their independence. Others equate it with welfare; still others lack transportation to the programs' locations or believe that the burden of applying for food stamps outweighs the expected low benefit. Program officials, providers, and advocacy groups have identified several actions that might increase older persons' participation in nutrition assistance programs. These actions include simplifying the application process, increasing the minimum benefit level from $10 to $25 per month, expanding programs to serve more people, and making older persons automatically eligible for food stamps when they are approved for programs like Medicaid.
