If you’re living on a low income, you may qualify for SNAP food benefits. In addition, if you’re eligible for Medicare, you can receive an allowance through some Advantage plans. Additional programs can help you get direct access to food.

As you get older, you become more susceptible to various physical changes and chronic conditions, which can affect how much you eat and how you absorb nutrients. For this reason, it can be particularly important to eat a balanced diet.

However, food insecurity, or the difficulty accessing or affording food, is particularly prevalent among older adults living in the United States. Research shows it affects at least 1 in 15 people over the age of 60.

In addition, among people over age 65, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report indicates that food insecurity appears to be growing from year to year, equaling more than 9% in 2022.

That said, if you or an aging loved one is living with a lower income or needs help accessing nutritious foods, you have a variety of government resources to turn to that can help.

If you need help with the grocery costs or access to food, there are several government options. Some options are specifically geared toward older adults:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): This program, formerly referred to as food stamps, provides a monthly cash allowance through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for groceries. While SNAP is a general program, it does have special eligibility rules for older adults. The SNAP allowance depends on household size and begins at $292 a month for one person in 2025.
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): This program offers older adults a monthly box of free groceries. The food comes from the USDA and is distributed in every state by local agencies for older adults or senior centers.
  • Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): This program provides coupons to buy fresh, locally grown groceries. It’s run in partnership with states.
  • Meals on Wheels: This program delivers free or low cost meals to your home. The program is indirectly funded by the government via various agencies, with specific funding depending on the state.
  • Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): This is another program that helps you get access to food through food banks or food kitchens, regardless of whether you qualify for SNAP. Specific eligibility depends on the state.
  • Medicare: Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not offer a food allowance, but you may get a stipend or a Flex card that you can use for groceries from a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, especially a Special Needs Plan (SNP) in many cases.
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In general, your household must spend at least 30% of its budget on food to be eligible for SNAP, though the benefit amount you’ll receive monthly depends on your state.

That said, all people above age 60 and those living with certain disabilities are eligible if their gross monthly income is within 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). To apply for SNAP, you’ll need to contact your local SNAP agency.

For CSFP, your income generally needs to be within 150% of FPL. For Meals on Wheels, you don’t have to have a low income to qualify, but you must be over 60 and experiencing challenges living independently. For SFMNP, you also must be over age 60 and have an income of no more than 185% of the FPL. That said, the exact eligibility criteria for these programs, as well as for TEFAP, may depend on the state.

As with SNAP, states generally administer government food programs, which means you’ll need to apply for them locally.

When it comes to Medicare, you’re eligible for the government health insurance if you’re age 65 years or older, or if you’re younger and living with certain disabilities. Once you enroll in Original Medicare, you’re then eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

You can explore the available Part C plans in your area on the Medicare.gov website to see which plans offer additional food benefits. That said, to enroll in an SNP, you’ll need to fulfill additional criteria.

With age, physical changes, and chronic conditions can influence appetite and nutrient absorption, making a balanced dietary plan especially important. Yet many older people in the United States face food insecurity, finding it hard to afford or access nutritious meals.

That said, older adults with lower incomes may qualify for SNAP, and those who enroll in Medicare can access Medicare Advantage plans that may include food allowances. In addition, other state-based programs can provide direct access to affordable food.