The U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the federal food-assistance program commonly referred to as “food stamps.” Its focus is to reduce or eliminate food scarcity, and it serves both children and adults.
Perhaps surprisingly, adults aged 60 and older comprise 19.5% of all SNAP participants in fiscal year 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. But what does that mean in terms of the number of boomers who are on food stamps, and more importantly, is this number trending up or down?
Here’s a look at the hard numbers and an examination of what the future may hold for boomers in need of SNAP benefits.
Translating Percentages Into People
According to the USDA’s latest data, SNAP served an average of about 41.7 million people per month in fiscal year 2024. This is backed by the Pew Research Center, which showed the monthly average of SNAP recipients for most of fiscal 2025 running around 42 million people. That translates to about 8 million boomers participating in the program, based on the USDA figure of 19.5% of SNAP recipients being 60 or older. What this means is that a sizable number of older adults, not younger families with children, are now relying on food assistance.
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Why Many Boomers Need SNAP
Many people think of SNAP as a program helping low-income, working adults and their children, but the data showed older adults actually represent a significant number of recipients. While the 60-and-over cohort of American society is often seen as being financially stable, the fact that older adults account for nearly 20% of SNAP recipients is notable. Here are some of the potential reasons:
- Inflation: Although inflation has moderated since its pandemic-era peak, prices have risen considerably since then on an overall basis. Housing, food, healthcare and other basic costs have outpaced Social Security cost-of-living increases, pinching many seniors.
- Insufficient retirement savings: Many Americans come up short when it comes to reaching their retirement savings goals. Those without adequate reserves may need food assistance in the form of SNAP.
- Higher interest rates: For seniors carrying credit card debt, high double-digit interest rates can be a major drag on cash flow. For boomers without pensions or substantial savings, SNAP may not just be a supplemental source of food income, but may function as necessary monthly support.
Actual Numbers Could Be Worse — and Growing
The real number of boomers who actually need SNAP benefits is likely higher. A number of factors — from social stigma to lack of awareness over eligibility to difficulty completing the application — may play a role in preventing some boomers from enrolling.
According to research from AARP, about 16 million adults 50 and older who are SNAP-eligible are not enrolled, with adults 60 and over disproportionately underenrolled. Olivia Dean, senior policy advisor at AARP’s Public Policy Institute, said, “Millions of older adults are missing out on benefits that could have a big impact on their livelihood,” highlighting the difficulties that seniors have in being aware of or accessing their benefits.
Experts told CNBC the same thing, noting that although SNAP reaches millions of Americans, growth in older-adult participation is part of broader demographic shifts. Analysts told CNBC the share of boomers receiving SNAP benefits will grow as they age.
The Bottom Line
The relatively large number of boomers receiving SNAP benefits reflects the trouble that many seniors are in when it comes to dealing with rising costs and economic pressures. Recent data shows 8 million or more boomers may already be on SNAP, but trends suggest it could play an even bigger role for them in coming years.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Nearly 1 in 5 SNAP Recipients Are Boomers — What That Says About Senior Finances
