This week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., teamed up with one of the leading Democrats in the U.S. Senate to bring out a proposal giving more federal benefits to lower income seniors.
On Tuesday, Lawson joined U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, to introduce the “SNAP Standard Medical Expense Deduction Act of 2017.” The proposal provides seniors a deduction if they apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, giving them anywhere between an additional $7-$69 a month. Under the proposal, various federal agencies working with seniors and taking on poverty would be required to report on Congress regarding their best practices.
Currently more than 45 million Americans receive SNAP benefits each month and 30 percent of them live with seniors or disabled family members. Only 42 percent of eligible seniors receive SNAP benefits as opposed to 83 percent of the rest of the eligible population.
Lawson explained why he had brought out his proposal.
“This bill will provide our elders and grandparents an added benefit that will allow them to keep up with rising healthcare costs without having to worry about buying food,” Lawson said. “Millions of our seniors face strained budgets and, at times, disability. This legislation eases the burden on seniors and ensures that they are not faced with the difficult decision of choosing between buying food and medicine.”
“I care deeply about making sure that all Americans, particularly our seniors, and our most vulnerable, have access to food,” he added.
“The SNAP Standard Medical Expense Deduction Act will make it easier for low-income seniors and disabled individuals with high out-of-pocket medical expenses to purchase food for themselves and their families,” Gillibrand said. “We must help lift the burden of these expenses to ensure our most vulnerable elderly and disabled are able to live with dignity and without fear of having to pick between their medical needs and purchasing food. I will continue to fight in the Senate for this legislation that will help New Yorkers thrive.”
