MDHS Provides Tips To Help Seniors Protect and Access SNAP Benefits

Jackson, MS- As the holiday season approaches, MDHS is dedicated to ensuring that eligible seniors have easier access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Through the Elderly Simplified Assistance Program, MDHS aims to simplify the application process and help older residents maintain their eligibility for important food assistance.

Protecting Your SNAP Benefits:
As the holidays can bring increased activity and potential risks, it’s crucial for seniors to safeguard their SNAP benefits. Here are some practical steps to prevent fraud:

  • Change your PIN after every transaction and select numbers that are not easily guessed.
  • Keep your PIN secure; cover the keypad while entering it.
  • Monitor your EBT account frequently for unauthorized transactions.
  • Check card reading machines for any suspicious overlays or attachments.

Important Reminder:
SNAP benefits will expire after 9 months of inactivity on the card. To prevent your benefits from expiring, it is essential to use your EBT card at least once every 274 days.

Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the ESAP, individuals must meet the following criteria:

  • All household members are aged 60 or over.
  • No household members receive earned income.
  • The household is not mandated to receive SNAP benefits through the Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP).

Eligible households are required to apply through ESAP and cannot participate in the regular SNAP program.

How to Apply:
Seniors can use the SNAP Simplified Application for the Elderly (ESAP) form to apply for benefits. This form is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 

Applications are accepted if:

  • Everyone in the household is aged 60 or older, or all members aged 60 or older purchase and prepare food separately; and
  • No household member receives earnings from work.

As we celebrate the season, MDHS remains committed to helping elderly citizens access the resources they need for a healthy holiday. For more information about support for seniors, please visit Caring for an Older Adult – Mississippi Department of Human Services