The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) recently received a grant from Benefits Data Trust (BDT), a national not-for-profit organization, to tackle senior hunger.
According to USDA, nationally, an estimated 4.8 million seniors (ages 60 and older) experience food insecurity, yet only 40% of all eligible seniors are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps.)
The aim of the partnership is to implement a proven, data-driven strategy that will decrease senior hunger by increasing SNAP participation. The South Carolina Department of Social Services - award will cover the entire state
South Carolina will receive $50,000 to cover administrative costs and will engage in partnership with BDT to implement a comprehensive, streamlined SNAP outreach and application assistance campaign.
The effort will tailor Benefits Data Trust's proven model to meet the specific needs of each geographic area. DSS will partner with the state's Medicaid department for outreach to identify low-income seniors who are enrolled in Medicaid, but not enrolled in SNAP.