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Can I Receive Food Stamps While Living in Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Reviewed by:
Kristi Bickmann, a licensed Long-Term Care Specialist, represents top-rated "Traditional" & "Hybrid" LTC companies. Serving associations such as the American Nurses Association, she's a licensed insurance agent in 27 states. Specializing in insurance products for seniors, Kristi helps hundreds of families every year protect assets, retirement, and loved ones. She understands aging concerns firsthand, having assisted her own parents. Kristi ensures accuracy on topics about senior long-term care and its consequences.
You probably can’t receive food stamps if you reside at an assisted living facility. Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits aren’t available if the community you live in provides most of your meals. However, exceptions exist for people who have a disability and live in a small nonprofit group home (less than 16 residents) and for individuals ages 60 and older in federally subsidized assisted living. You can keep your SNAP benefits in either of these situations.
Who is eligible for food stamps?
To receive food stamp benefits through SNAP, your household income and assets must fall below the maximum limit for your state. Generally, your household must have less than $2,750 in assets or less than $4,250 if you have at least one member who is aged 60 or older or has a disability. The monthly net income limit for SNAP is $1,215 if you live in a single-person household.
You can get more information about eligibility requirements from your local SNAP office. After you complete your application, you will receive an approval decision within 30 days. You might qualify for help within 7 days if your household has less than $150 per month in income and $100 in liquid assets.
Are state and local food stamp programs available?
Some cities and states have their own food stamp programs, with rules that may differ from SNAP’s rules. If you receive nutrition assistance at the local level, check with the office in your area to find out what happens to your benefits if you enter assisted living.