As Montana enters the second stage of reopening, we still have a long, slow recovery ahead of us. Missoula Aging Services (MAS) has seen first-hand how difficult this crisis has been for older Montanans, especially those already struggling with limited resources. We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for our Nutrition Services and many of our older neighbors, who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus, often live alone and can’t receive assistance from friends or family due to social distancing.
John is a MAS client who depends on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to remain safe, healthy and independent in his own home. He is diabetic and only lives off his Social Security benefits. If it wasn’t for SNAP he would have to choose between food and paying his bills and medications. SNAP provides a safety net so John can maintain his good health by being able to afford healthy food and his medications, both of which are integral in treating his diabetes.
While Congress has taken many important steps in response to COVID-19 with the House of Representatives recently passing the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act), we must do more to support the wellbeing of our communities in the difficult months ahead. One crucial step is strengthening SNAP, a program proven to boost the economy and reduce hunger. We ask that Congress increase SNAP benefits by 15% and increase the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $30, to help keep our older neighbors healthy and nourished during this economic crisis.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1.8 million households across the nation receive the minimum SNAP benefit of $16 per month and the majority of these include older adults. Older Montanans are at even greater risk of food insecurity. Church and Senior Center luncheons are on hold and food banks are stretched to the limit, as they attempt to serve thousands of additional families in need of assistance, many for the first time. Furthermore, grocery store food prices jumped by 2.6 percent in April, the largest one-month increase in more than 45 years.
For the average Montanan on SNAP, a 15% increase in benefits would mean an additional $24 per person each month to spend on food. SNAP also supports stores and local businesses, helping to secure the jobs of Montana’s farmers and frontline grocery store workers. According to USDA, every dollar in new SNAP benefits increases Gross Domestic Product by about $1.50 during a weak economy. By raising SNAP benefit amounts, Congress can take swift action to stimulate the economy, while improving the lives and well-being of millions of our most vulnerable citizens across the country.
We ask our Congressional delegation to increase SNAP benefits in order to boost our state’s economy and keep older Americans healthy and nourished. By helping people who need it most, we can begin to rebuild an even stronger and healthier Montana.
Larry Riley is the MAS Board Chair. Susan Kohler is the MAS CEO.
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