Thousands of South Florida seniors are at an "imminent" risk of losing crucial food assistance as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to suspend their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Saturday, November 1, according to a warning by the Alliance for Aging.
A report by South Florida NPR affiliate WLRN says this risk will be devastating to seniors in Miami-Dade County, which has the highest share of SNAP households in the U.S. that include at least one person over the age of 60.
“We are on the cusp of a hunger crisis here in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties,” said Max B. Rothman, Alliance for Aging President & CEO, in a statement. “The ending of SNAP benefits will potentially affect so many older adults in our community who rely on this program for food.”
Rothman says that there are more than 224,000 older beneficiaries in Miami-Dade who receive SNAP, representing 60 percent of all households enrolled in the program there.
“This represents a critical threat to the most vulnerable in our community," Rothman said. "Without access to SNAP benefits, many older adults in need will go to bed hungry.”
Alliance for Aging is coordinating with community partners, mobilizing emergency food aid and resources and urging seniors and their families "to take immediate action, including checking and utilizing any existing balance on their EBT or SNAP accounts, as the next deposit is not guaranteed until the federal funding impasse is resolved."
They also suggest contacting their Elder Helpline for referrals to emergency aid.
Elder Helpline: 305-670-HELP (305-670-4357) Toll-Free: 1-800-96-ELDER (35337)