Data Analysis Reveals that Millions of Households with Seniors Rely on SNAP to Stave Off Hunger

Via Food Research & Action Center By Emily Pickren One in 10 households with seniors (age 60+) participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on average each year between 2012–2016. This is according to U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed in interactive tools released today by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), in collaboration with AARP Foundation. These first-of-their-kind interactive maps and accompanying tables … Continue reading Data Analysis Reveals that Millions of Households with Seniors Rely on SNAP to Stave Off Hunger

Piloting Online Food Purchasing in a SNAP

by Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator By early 2018, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants will be able to make purchases online using their food assistance benefits in the following states: Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Amazon and Wal-Mart are two of the ten online retailers that have been selected by the Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to participate … Continue reading Piloting Online Food Purchasing in a SNAP

Slices of bread and $2 bills.

Bridge Card “Lost Benefit” Information

by Lyndsy Gamet, MiCAFE Stakeholder and Network Partners Manager Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that it owes some Bridge Card recipients additional benefits that date back to 2014. They refer to the amount as a “lost benefit.” This was an error related to the Heat and Utility Standard Allowance changes. This Allowance was removed for many recipients, and for some it was … Continue reading Bridge Card “Lost Benefit” Information

Grocery basket of fruits and vegetables.

ABAWD Time Limits Waiver Set to Expire in 4 Michigan Counties

by Jadranko Tomic-Bobas, Managing Hotline Attorney The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that “[m]ore than 500,000 and as many as 1 million of the nation’s poorest people will be cut off SNAP over the course of 2016.” SNAP rules require all recipients meet work requirements, unless they are exempt because of age or disability or another specific reason. The work requirements have been part of the … Continue reading ABAWD Time Limits Waiver Set to Expire in 4 Michigan Counties

Laptop with coffee cup and jar of flowers.

Elder Law of Michigan Releases Mi-SOAP 3.0!

Released in August 2016, the new Michigan’s Support for Older Adults Portal (Mi-SOAP) has been rebuilt from the ground up to provide a better user interface, implement new features, and address user feedback to provide a quality user experience. Additionally, Mi-SOAP now has a public site, allowing seniors and other members of the community to better connect with the resources seniors need most. Mi-SOAP now includes … Continue reading Elder Law of Michigan Releases Mi-SOAP 3.0!

Large pile of carrots, tomatoes, and other produce.

SNAP Facts!

by Lyndsy Gamet, MiCAFE Outreach and Training Coordinator Let’s talk about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Are you one of approximately 142,000 Michigan Seniors who participate in the program? If not, let me give you a few facts about it, and how to find out if you are eligible. 1) The SNAP program was designed to help individuals to obtain an adequate diet, while meeting … Continue reading SNAP Facts!

Jody Anderson

Building Partnerships – MiCAFE and MiDHHS

by Natalie Pearce, Director of Economic Security This summer, MiCAFE (Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) entered into a partnership to house a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility Specialist at Elder Law of Michigan’s Lansing office. Filling this role is Jody Anderson, who has worked at DHHS since 2011 as an Eligibility Specialist. In her role, Jody determines client … Continue reading Building Partnerships – MiCAFE and MiDHHS

Quarter, penny, and other coins.

Don’t Have to File a Michigan Income Tax Return? Maybe You Should Anyway

by James Michael Curcio, Hotline Intern Many older Americans count themselves among the 45% of taxpayers who do not pay federal income tax, either because their income is too low or because their income is not taxable. While not owing federal taxes does not necessarily mean you do not owe state taxes, it is likely that if you are not filing a federal return, you … Continue reading Don’t Have to File a Michigan Income Tax Return? Maybe You Should Anyway

Grandmother and granddaughter cooking

National Nutrition Month – Part 1

by Sheila Robison, Economic Security Team Member March is National Nutrition Month! MiCAFE, a program of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc., will be celebrating this important month by raising awareness of the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This post is the first in a series of posts this month highlighting this important initiative. Welcome March with good news about nutrition! Here … Continue reading National Nutrition Month – Part 1

Two women shopping in the produce section.

Elder Law of Michigan Joins National Movement to End Senior Hunger

Elder Law of Michigan joins nation movement of community organizations come together to increase older adult SNAP enrollment. Lansing, MI (June 22, 2015) – When it comes to eating a healthy diet, millions of Americans 65 and over face a double whammy: their income is fixed, and their spending on food is consuming a larger portion of their budget. Nationally, adults aged 65+ have an … Continue reading Elder Law of Michigan Joins National Movement to End Senior Hunger