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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 7, 2025 Page 19 Sa nior 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 figured 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 benefits 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 fi nd 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-localfoodbank) 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 CHAMPIONSHIPS | FROM PAGE 12 now sets its sights on the Division 1 North sectional tournament – one of the most competitive in the state. It kicks off the weekend of Feb. 14. “Division 1 North is arguably the best section in the state, in any division by far,” Moda said. “If you make it out of D1 North, you’re defi nitely heading to All-States or New Englands. If BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 as part of the historic HERO Act that Gov. Healey signed into law last year. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of Jan. 27-31, the House a met for a total of 17 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 25 minutes. Mon. Jan. 27 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Tues. Jan. 28 No House session No Senate session Wed. Jan. 29 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:03 a.m. No Senate session Thurs. Jan. 30 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Senate 11:02 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Fri. Jan. 31 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. you don’t get out of the section, you’re going home.” The team is preparing to battle powerhouses like Shawsheen Tech, St. John’s Prep, Haverhill and Andover. “We’ve been having a lot of success wrestling our conference, but D1 North is another level,” Moda said. “We’ve done well, but when we go into that tournament, they’re going to be really tested.” Even with two championships in the books, Moda is not letting his team dwell on past accomplishments. “We’ve done something that no other Saugus and Peabody team has done,” Moda said. “But in the grand scheme of things, we want to be a better team to compete in D1 sectionals, place kids at State and All-State, and make New Englands. We did it, we celebrated, and now we’re moving on.” - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 Docket No. ES25P0089PM In the matter of: ANDREW J. PARTAIN Of: SAUGUS, MA RESPONDENT (Person to be Protected/Minor) CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR OR OTHER PROTECTIVE ORDER PURSUANT TO G.L c. 190B, §5-304, §5-405 To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Angela M. Partain of Saugus, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Andrew J. Partain is in need of a Conservator or other protective order and requesting that Angela M. Partain of Saugus, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Conservator to serve Without Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is disabled, that a protective order or appointment of a Conservator is necessary, and that the proposed conservator is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 02/24/2025. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The abovenamed person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. if the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: January 27, 2025 PAMELA CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE February 07, 2025

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