snap outreach missouri
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SNAP/Food Stamps Outreach
MFBA- Who We Are
The Missouri Food Bank Association is a coalition of the six Missouri Food Banks working to provide hunger relief to every county (and St. Louis City) in the state. Collectively, we distribute over 90 million pounds of food each year through a network of more than 2,000 community feeding programs.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of low-income Americans put food on the table, providing benefits that are timely, targeted, and temporary. SNAP responds quickly to changes in need, growing in response to poverty and unemployment. The program is targeted at our most vulnerable citizens, predominantly serving households with children, elderly, and disabled members. SNAP benefits phase out as participants get back on their feet, with the average household staying on the program less than a year.
SNAP “Little known fact”
– SNAP has been associated with reduced childhood food insecurity and reduced negative impact on cognitive and academic development as they grow older.
– According to physicians and medical researchers, SNAP “is one of America’s best medicines to prevent and treat childhood food insecurity.”
Edward Frongillo et al, “Food Stamp Program Participation is Associated with Better Academic Learning among School Children.”
Children’s Sentinel Nutritional Assessment: Food Stamps as Medicine, February 2007.
SNAP: A Nutrition Program
As the largest federal nutrition program, SNAP provides $72 billion in benefits to the more than 45 million people currently enrolled. Yet the SNAP program has the potential and the resources to assist far more low income households. Nearly 30 percent of individuals eligible for SNAP are not participating.
Threats of funding cuts to the Food Stamp Program
Changes to SNAP that reduce eligibility or benefits cannot be adequately replaced by food banks and other private charities, or by local communities suffering the loss of local jobs. These agencies are already struggling to meet growing demands driven by long-term unemployment, falling wages, and rising fuel prices.
Helps Families Make Healthier Choices
© 2010 Feeding America
SNAP-Eligible Food Purchases
SNAP Nutrition Education
• Fight obesity through education. Nutrition educators teach SNAP participants the importance of a quality diet, how toprepare healthy foods, and how to make healthy choices.
• Put food on the table for their children. SNAP benefits are an investment in our future. Just under fifty percent ofparticipants are children.
Missouri/ Overall Food Insecurity Rates
Child Food Insecurity Rates
SNAP ProgramMyths and Facts
Myth: I can’t receive SNAP benefits if I have assets, like a car or retirement savings.
Fact: Assets are not counted in determining eligibility. If the asset produces income, that income is counted.
Myth: If I receive SNAP benefits someone else will not be able to get them.
Fact: The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement. Anyone who applies and is eligible will get SNAP benefits.
Myth: I can’t get SNAP if I am working or receiving unemployment benefits.
Fact: Many people who work at jobs with low wages, or receive unemployment benefits, are eligible for SNAP.
SNAP ProgramMyths and Facts
Myth: Applying for Food Assistance isn’t worth the trouble because most people are only eligible for less than $20.
Fact: The amount of Food Assistance benefits depends on family size, income and certain expenses.
Myth: Elderly people do not receive credit for medical and prescription drug bills.
Fact: Medical expenses that exceed $35 a month may be deducted unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. Only the amount over $35 can be deducted.
Myth: You have to go to the food stamp office every few months to keep getting benefits.
Fact: Elderly people can get benefits for up to two years at a time. You don’t have to go back to the office unless there are specific changes to your case. You can also ask for a telephone interview.
Why don’t clients apply for SNAP?
• Don’t know if they are eligible because of income• Don’t know if they are eligible because of
immigration status• Don’t know how to apply for benefits• Have had a difficult experience with a local DSS
office
EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Card
SNAP benefits are issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. When clients use their EBT card to pay for food purchases, they authorize the transfer of their benefits from a government account to a retailer’s account. Below are images of the front and the back of a Missouri Electronic Benefits card.
Average Monthly SNAP Amounts
• On average, monthly benefits are:
These items cost $16.00
What could you buy with the average monthly SNAP benefit?
SNAP Money Left on the Table Report: Missouri
Who Is Eligible for SNAP? (October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013)
Household Size Gross Monthly
Income Limits
(130 percent of poverty)
Net Monthly Income
(100 percent of poverty)
1 $1,211 $931
2 1,640 1,261
3 2,069 1,591
4 2,498 1,921
5 2,927 2,251
6 3,356 2,581
7 3,785 2,911
8 4,214 3,241
Each additional member
+429 +330
Why do agencies get involved?
SNAP Outreach aligns directly with our mission to end hunger.
Agencies already serve several individuals that are unaware they are eligible.
Agencies often have direct interaction with the three populations that are currently underserved for SNAP benefits:
Working class poorFamilies with childrenSenior citizens and disabled individuals
DSS caseworkers are overwhelmedHelp prepare clients for their interviews
SNAP Outreach is Simple
• Provide fliers for clients during pantry or meal distribution
• Ask clients if they know about SNAP benefits
• Refer clients to the STL Foodbank SNAP Coordinator for application assistance
What is SNAP Outreach?
• Flyers and brochures
• Refer clients to services
• Agency training in SNAP information and assistance
• Help clients directly during food distributions
Distribute Information
Be a host site
Direct Application assistance
• Outreach worker comes to agency site
• Agency advertises outreach sessions and helps clients prepare for outreach visit
Please call:Melanie HickcoxMFBA SNAP Project
Or contact:Suzi SeekerCSFP [email protected]
Thank you for helping hungry Missourians!
Questions or to arrange a SNAP outreach visit to your agency?