Good morning,

 

Yesterday, NCOA received a call from a volunteer attorney in Massachusetts. She’s looking for a systemic solution to a problem they’re seeing with a lot of Russian elders in the community who are on SSI but are denied SNAP.

 

Apparently, SSA has some erroneous data related to pensions earned in Russia, along one of two lines:

1. There is a pension in Russia, but the elder cannot travel in person (as required) to collect, and is unlikely to do so due to frailty, etc.; or,

2. The elder is receiving a Russian pension, but the amount that SSA reports is incorrect (often much higher than what is actually received).

Since SNAP accepts SSA data as “verified upon receipt,” these seniors are being denied SNAP.

 

Have any of you experience similar issues in your service areas? If so, do you have any suggestions for a systemic resolution?

 

Thank you for any help you can provide!

 

Erin

 

Erin Kee McGovern, J.D., MELP

Associate Director, Hunger Initiatives

Phone: 571-527-3940

erin.kee@ncoa.org   

 

National Council on Aging

Improving the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling

251 18th Street South, Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22202

www.ncoa.org |@NCOAging

 

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