No one should have to choose between buying groceries, paying for medicine, or keeping their lights on. Yet millions of older Americans across the country grapple with hunger every day, often quietly and alone. According to Feeding America, roughly 7.4 million seniors (age 60+) faced food insecurity in 2023¹, meaning they lacked enough food to stay healthy and active. 

If you or someone you know is struggling to afford food, help is available. Explore assistance programs below and see if you, a family member, or a client qualifies for help using NCOA's free online tool, BenefitsCheckUp®.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP, once called the Food Stamp program, helps low-income older adults, people with disabilities, and families buy fresh, healthy food. If you qualify, you’ll receive monthly benefits on an EBT card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores, farmers markets, convenience stores, and some online retailers (e.g., Amazon). How much you receive depends on factors like your income and household size. The average SNAP benefit for a one-person senior household is $188 per month, or $2,256 per year.²

Despite its importance, SNAP is vastly underutilized. Just 38% of eligible adults age 65 and older participated in the program in 2023.3 That means millions of older adults may be missing out on food assistance that could help them afford healthier meals and stretch their budgets further.

“For an older adult, SNAP is not a bridge program. SNAP is a lifeline,” Jessica Johnston, NCOA Senior Director for the Center for Economic Well-Being, told the Association of Health Care Journalists.

If you or someone you know lives in an area affected by a disaster, you also may be eligible to receive additional or replacement SNAP benefits through D-SNAP, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Learn more:

• Get the facts on SNAP and senior hunger. 
• Find SNAP outreach and enrollment tools.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

SFMNP is a federally funded benefits program that awards grants to states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Eligible low-income older adults receive coupons they can use to buy healthy, locally grown foods. This includes fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey from local farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs.

It’s important to know not every state offers SFMNP. Even in states that do participate, the program may not be available in every area. 

Use the USDA’s online SFMNP map to see if the program is offered where you live. 

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP, sometimes called the “Senior Food Box” program, helps low-income older adults get healthy foods each month. Eligible adults age 60 and older can receive a free box of foods such as milk, juice, cereal, rice, peanut butter, dry beans, and canned fruits and vegetables. 

This program is available through many local food banks and community organizations, but it’s not in every state. Contact your local FNS agency to check availability in your area.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP is a federal program that provides nutritious food to people with low income at no cost. The U.S. Department of Agriculture buys food like canned vegetables, fruit, meat, pasta, and other pantry staples and then ships it to individual states. States distribute the food to local organizations, usually food banks, which provide the food to soup kitchens and food pantries. Rules and eligibility can vary by state and local agency.

Contact your local FNS agency to check TEFAP availability in your area.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels America supports a network of more than 5,000 local meal programs across the country. Along with delivering healthy meals, volunteers also provide friendly visits, social connection, and quick safety checks during each stop. To find a local Meals on Wheels program for yourself or someone you know, visit the organization’s website. 

Check your availability for these and other food assistance programs by visiting BenefitsCheckUp and entering your ZIP code.

Sources

1. Feeding America. Map the Meal Gap 2025: A Report on Local Food Insecurity and Food Costs in the United States in 2023. May 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/Map%20the%20Meal%20Gap%202025%20Report.pdf

2. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A Quick Guide to SNAP Eligibility and Benefits. Updated October 3, 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-quick-guide-to-snap-eligibility-and-benefits

3. National Council on Aging. Estimation of National, State, and Substate Program Participation Rates for Adults 65 and Older. March 2026. Found on the internet at https://assets.ncoa.org/ffacfe7d-10b6-0083-2632-604077fd4eca/3462824a-d7e9-4ddb-a936-7c2172599005/Estimated_Program_Participation_Rates_for_Adults_65_and_Older_2023.pdf