Food Security Research Report Summaries - AARP Foundation What We Do
Food Security Research Summaries
The Case for Making SNAP Benefits Adequate: Reflections from Interviews With Older Adults An overwhelming majority of 25 older adults interviewed about SNAP said increased benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic improved their food-purchasing power, nutrition, health, and well-being. AARP Foundation commissioned FRAC to study the impact that temporary pandemic-related SNAP benefit increases had on the health, nutrition, and overall well-being of older adults. The findings reinforce our previous research demonstrating the importance of larger SNAP benefits. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Boosted Food Assistance Many older adult Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants reported that emergency food assistance and boosted SNAP benefits helped them purchase more food and healthier food during the pandemic. AARP Foundation conducted a survey in July-August 2021 to learn more about the experiences of older adult SNAP participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assess the impact of food assistance. Key findings: Many respondents reported improved food security during the pandemic. Despite increased assistance, respondents still struggled to get enough food every month. The pandemic disproportionately affected the food and financial security of Black and Latinx respondents and those between the ages of 50 and 59. Barriers and Opportunities for Older Adult to Access SNAP Older adults eligible for SNAP experience systemic barriers in the process of becoming aware of SNAP, deciding to apply, applying, enrolling, and recertifying in the program that make it challenging to access and stay on the program. More than half of older adults eligible for SNAP are not enrolled. This AARP Foundation commissioned report, created by Social Policy Research Associates, describes the personal experiences of older adult SNAP participants and non-participants. Key highlights: Profiles of participants and non-participants. Journeys of participants and the barriers or pain points experienced throughout the process of becoming aware of SNAP, deciding to apply, applying, enrolling, and recertifying in the program. Description of various waivers and program changes that have sought to simplify the SNAP enrollment and recertification process for seniors. How the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) Effects Food Security Among Older Adults This study underscores the importance of the SNAP benefit amount for improving food security. And adds to a body of research demonstrating a positive relationship between SNAP participation and food security. AARP Foundation’s Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) State Enrollment Data Collection Project sought to measure the effects on food security among older adults who received SNAP benefits through an ESAP application. The research, conducted by Mathematica, spanned a timeframe before and during the pandemic, coinciding with the issuance of the SNAP emergency allotments authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Key highlights: Normal benefit amounts largely moved respondents from low to marginal food security and had no effect on very low food security. Respondents who likely received the extra FFCRA benefits saw much greater effects on food security, including declines in the incidence of very low food security and increases in the incidence of high food security. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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