its a snap! helping seniors eat right when money is tight

It’s a SNAP!

Helping Seniors Eat RightWhen Money Is

Tight

Hello, my name is Bonnie.

I want to share my story about how I found the help I

needed to purchase more nutritious

food.

Sometimes I don’t have enough money

to buy the foods my doctor wants

me to eat.

I’m on a fixed income.

What can I do..?

I found out about

SNAPa program that

helps seniors eat right when money is tight!

SNAPSupplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program

I called 1-800-Safe-Net and they told me how to find my local

senior services office.

There are several ways to find an SNAP office near you:

• Dial 1-800-Safe-Net (1-800-723-3638)

• Dial 211 from any phone

• Visit 211info.org

• Visit oregon.gov (type: “SPD offices”)

I was surprised to find out how high my income

could be and still receive SNAP.

• Single person: up to $1,679 per month.

• Two person household: up to $2,268 per month.

• Three person household: up to $2,857 per month.*

* Household income gets higher with each additional member.

I called my local Seniors and People with Disabilities (SPD) office and talked to the receptionist.

He asked me a few questions and I was given an appointment.

I found out that I did not need to go into the office. I could choose to have my

interview over the phone.

If I chose to apply by phone I would need to

copy my documents and mail them to my

worker…

But I needed help right away, so I decided to meet with my worker

in person.

• Social Security Security number

• Identification

• Proof of all income (including Social Security)

• Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses

I was asked to bring 4 items to my first appointment:

I met with a worker and

my interview in her office

was confidential and private.

The questions she asked were easy to answer.

I found out that resources such as my home, car, bank account and retirement fund did not

affect my eligibility.

My worker told me I qualified for $93.00 a month! *

*Benefit amounts for an individual range from $16 to

$200 a month.

She gave me my SNAP debit card right there at the office and a

brochure that explained how to use it.

And then I went shopping!

My SNAP card can be used at

most stores that sell groceries.

Checking out was

easy!

I swiped my SNAP card like any debit card.

I entered my private

4 digit code…

And I was done!

I can also use my SNAP card at many Farmers’ Markets and some local

farm stands.

Farmers’ Market

I took my SNAP card to the information booth.

I told them how much I wantedin wooden coins or tokens.

The tokens are used like cash to pay food vendors.*

*This process may vary with each Farmers’ Market.

I can even purchase edible plants, seeds and starts so that I can grow

my own food.

I found out I qualified for

Farmers’ Market

vouchers, which will

stretch my food budget even

further.

1). SNAP benefits are put on my card at the beginning of each month.

2). I can call the number on the back of the card to find out how much SNAP money I have in my account.

3). If I don’t use all of my SNAP money each month, what’s left will remain in my account for up to one year.

How my SNAP benefits work:

• At 6 months I may need to complete a report form. All I do is fill out and return a form my worker sends me.

• At 12 months I will need to reapply by either going into the office or interviewing over the phone.

My worker is available if I have any questions.

Maintaining SNAP is easy!

I found out by using SNAP I have helped Oregon’s economy.

Last year more than $1 billion federal dollars were returned to Oregon communities.

It is nice to know I’m doing my part to help local businesses

and farmers.

The only question I have is -

why did I wait so long..?

Now, I have groceries to make myself a nutritious meal.

Helping seniors eat right when money is tight!

SNAP!

More information:

211info.org

OregonHelps.org

Oregon.gov/DHS

OregonHunger.org