Clearlake >> The Highlands Senior Service Center (HSSC) now has representatives on hand to assist seniors with their applications for the CalFresh Nutrition Program, known as SNAP. People 60 and older, and households with senior members, are encouraged to apply for the benefits.
SNAP can help seniors buy healthy food and CalFresh benefits leave older adults with more money to pay for other needs. Special rules for people 60 years of age or older now make it easier for seniors to get CalFresh benefits:
• You don’t have to go into a CalFresh office.
• You don’t have to be fingerprinted.
• There is no gross income test.
• There is no resource limit — you may own your own home, car and bank account, and still be eligible to receive benefits.
• Recertification may be required only every two years.
• Reporting is only required when changes occur to your household composition, income or address.
• The face-to-face interview has been waived.
• While net income limits do apply, special rules for seniors means that special deductions also apply.
• Non-reimbursed medical expenses more than $35 can be deducted.
• Housing expenses can be deducted.
Seniors receiving Social Security Retirement benefits — Social Security (SSA) and Social Security Disability (SSDI and SDI) — are encouraged to apply for CalFresh Nutritional Program benefits. And while individuals who receive Social Security Income (SSI) in California aren’t eligible to receive CalFresh benefits, others who live in the household, such as children or grandchildren, may still be eligible for assistance.
CalFresh benefits are not “welfare.” The CalFresh program is designed to help people meet their nutritional requirements when money is tight. And the representatives at Highlands Senior Service Center are there to help apply for those benefits. Call them at 994-3051 for more information, or stop by the office at 3245 Bowers Ave. in Clearlake.
Call 994-3051 to make an appointment with a CalFresh representative for help with the application. Apply online at www.benefitscal.org. Applications are also available in the HSSC office.
