For an older New Jersey resident living primarily on Social Security, qualifying for SNAP used to come with a frustrating possibility: going through the application process only to receive a relatively small monthly benefit. New Jersey changed that calculation in 2023 by guaranteeing eligible households at least $95 per month in SNAP benefits, and new state research shows the policy is reaching the people it was intended to help.
Between March 2023 and May 2025, the state invested more than $60 million in supplemental benefits for more than 125,700 households, generating an estimated $93 million in economic activity. Minimum-benefit recipients were also more likely than SNAP households overall to be seniors and people living alone. For an eligible older adult who would otherwise receive a small federal allotment, New Jersey’s guarantee can make SNAP considerably more valuable. Here is what you need to know about the program, the application process, and how to receive your benefits.
