RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A recent report by the National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank, has highlighted a significant issue in Virginia: despite being eligible, thousands of residents are not utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The findings indicate that over 100,000 Virginians who qualify for this crucial food assistance program are not enrolled.
Zooming out, 70.2% of Americans who are eligible for SNAP are not taking advantage of the food assistance program. That is roughly about 9 million people across the country, many of them struggling to buy groceries every day.
The report reveals that this gap is particularly pronounced among older adults aged 65 and up. Currently, only about 37% of Virginians in this age group who are eligible for SNAP benefits are taking advantage of the program.
The data shows notable discrepancies across various counties. In Henrico County, 4,773 senior citizens are eligible but not enrolled. Richmond has 3,274 eligible seniors, while Chesterfield County has 3,247.
The President and CEO of the National Council on Aging expressed strong concerns about these findings, calling the situation “shocking and unacceptable.” The organization emphasizes that many older adults are missing out on essential assistance that could significantly improve their quality of life.
It’s shocking and unacceptable to have nine million eligible older adults not enrolled in benefits that can make the difference between them affording food or health care each month. These individuals are struggling to afford basic necessities, and they are missing out on critical assistance.
Ramsey Alwin, NCOA President and CEO.
For those who are uncertain about their eligibility, you can check and apply at the Virginia Department of Social Services’ website.