THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 7, 2025 Page 17 Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How Seniors Can Get Help Lowering Their Grocery Bills Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to find out if my 72-year-old mother is eligible for food stamps or any other type of assistance program. When my stepfather died last year, mom’s income dropped in half and is having a hard time paying her grocery bills. What can you tell us? Searching Son Dear Searching, There are actually several diff erent food assistance programs that can help lower income seniors with their grocery costs, but what’s available to your mom will depend on her income level. Here’s what you should know. SNAP Benefi ts The largest hunger safety program in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), but your state may use a diff erent name. While there are millions of seniors who are eligible for SNAP, only around 40 percent (about 4.8 million seniors) actually take advantage of this benefi t. For older adults to get SNAP, their net income must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So, households that have at least one person age 60 and older, or who are disabled, their net monthly income must be less than $1,255 per month for an individual or $1,704 for a family of two. These amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Households receiving TANF or SSI are also eligible. Net income is fi gured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions including a standard monthly deduction, medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, rent or mortgage payments, utility costs, taxes and more. In addition to the net income requirement, some states also require that a senior’s assets be below $4,500, not counting the home, personal property, retirement savings and most vehicles. Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or they don’t count assets at all when determining eligibility. To apply, you or your mom will need to fi ll out a state application form, which can be done by mail, by phone, or online, depending on your mom’s state of residence. If eligible, her benefi ts will be provided on a plastic Electronic Benefi ts Transfer (EBT) card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The average SNAP benefi t for 60-and-older households is around $105 per month. To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP offi ce – visit fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory or call 800-221-5689. Other Programs In addition to SNAP, there are other food assistance programs that can help lower-income seniors like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The CSFP is a program that provides supplemental food packages to seniors with income limits at or below the 150 percent poverty line. And the SFMNP off ers coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs in select locations throughout the U.S. To be eligible, your mother’s income must be below the 185 percent poverty level. To learn more about these programs and find out if they are available in your mom’s area, visit fns.usda.gov/ programs. There are also many Feeding America network food banks that host “Senior Grocery Programs” that provide free groceries to older adults, no strings attached. Contact your local food bank (see feedingamerica. org/find-your-local-foodbank) to fi nd out if a program is available nearby. In addition to the food assistance programs, there are also various fi nancial assistance programs that may help your mom pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, and learn how to apply for them, go to Benefi tsCheckUp.org. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior Salvatore F. Sachetta OBITUARY ing the last sitting president of the Board before it became one legislative body. Sal was the son of the late O f Everett. Entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 2, in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers after being in failing health. He was 94 years old. Sal was born in Everett, the city he was most proud of. He was a graduate of Bentley College and worked as a Certifi ed Public Accountant for A.W. Ashton in Somerville and Boston Centerless in Malden, prior to retirement. Sal served honorably in the U. S. Army during the Korean Confl ict and was discharged as a Corporal. He served the City of Everett as a two-term member of the Board of Aldermen and he had the distinction of beCharles and Anna (Prinzavalli) Sachetta; the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” (Sestito); the dear and devoted father of Marian Caputo and her husband, Gary of Everett, Cathy Vedrani and her husband, Paul of Everett, Linda Bonvie and her late husband, Michael of Sandwich and Salvatore F. Sachetta, Jr. and his wife, Fran of Ft. Meyers, FL; the devoted brother of James Sachetta of Everett, Anna Raso of Everett, Marie Mulry of Everett, and the late twin brother Gus, Charles, Gaspar, Domenic, Frank, Catherine Sforza, and Angie Monsini. Sal is also the loving Papa of 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Salvatore’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) Everett, Friday, February 7, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. His funeral will be from the funeral home, Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. with a funeral Mass to follow in the Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett at 11 a.m. Interment with U. S. Army Military Honors will be presented at the Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers, contributions in Salvatore’s memory to the Kaplan House, c/o Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 would be sincerely appreciated. Parking with attendants on duty. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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