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Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) and the Virginia Department of Social Services encourage seniors to apply for food stamps. Older Virginians have been reluctant to apply for this program in the past, even though they were eligible. However, the process for receiving and using benefits has become easier and more convenient.
First, it is no longer necessary to pick up paper food stamps. Program members get a plastic card (like a credit card or an ATM card) to pay for purchases at the grocery store (see card example shown below).
Each month, the amount of food stamp benefits is electronically credited to the cardholder’s account. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is given to the cardholder so they can access their account. Also, training is available if cardholders feel they need help in learning how to use their card.
The entire food stamp benefit does not have to be used every month. This allows cardholders to "save up" benefits for occasions when they know that they will need extra food. The card must be used at least once every 60 days to remain "active", but a single purchase (such as a loaf of bread or a carton of eggs) will suffice. The rest of the cardholder's benefits can then be carried forward and combined with the next month’s benefits.
Disabled seniors can apply for food stamps by mailing their applications and completing telephone interviews with eligibility workers. It is no longer necessary to visit a local social services department if it is an obstacle for you. On your application, simply make a note to inform the social services staff that you will need a telephone interview.
Disabled seniors who are physically unable to shop or cook should consider applying for food stamps separately from the rest of the household, if there are more individuals that qualify living in the same household. Since benefits are determined by the income level of the household, the disabled individual may qualify for food stamps that would not have been available if the household had applied.
Also, be sure to provide proof of medical expenses to your eligibility worker so that you can get the all of the deductions entitled to you. Ask your pharmacy for a list of your medication expenses for the past year. This information is extremely important and can have a big impact on the amount of food stamps you will receive. Rent, mortgage and utility expenses are also important information to provide to the social services staff so that extra deductions can be found for you, if possible.
Approach the application process for the Food Stamp Program with a "step-by-step" mentality, and don’t be discouraged by the length of the application. This is an important benefit. If you find that you cannot complete the application on your own, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or your local social services department. You can also contact VDA or the visit the Virginia Department of Social Services' Food Stamp web page by clicking on the card image shown below.
Note: Links to web sites produced by organizations other than the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) are provided for your convenience. When you select one of these links, you will leave VDA's web site. VDA is not responsible for the content of linked web pages, and does not endorse products or services that may be offered on the linked pages. Also, the privacy policies of these sites may differ from the privacy policy followed by the Department for the Aging. Please report incorrect or outdated links to VDA's Web Designer.
