SNAP and Medicare: What to know
If a person is eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which can help with food and grocery needs, it can work alongside a Medicare plan offering similar benefits.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service program runs SNAP. Its aim is to improve food security, lower hunger rates, and provide people with a choice of nutritious foods.
Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer benefits beyond those that Original Medicare offers. These may include a grocery allowance, sometimes called a health foods benefit.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits to those with chronic conditions. These special needs plans (SNPs) — chronic condition special needs plans (C-SNPs) and dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs) — may include a grocery allowance.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) may also be able to help individuals with added grocery benefits.
PACE comprises Medicare and Medicaid benefits for people ages 55 years and older who meet specific health and income criteria. The program includes many services to help older adults stay at home for longer by providing care from within the community. PACE plans can include home-delivered meals and a grocery allowance.
People ages 60 years or older who receive Social Security benefits may qualify for SNAP if their income is below a certain amount. Social Security, disability, and veterans’ payments are considered income.
However, state agencies must exclude all of a Medicare Advantage plan’s additional benefits when reviewing income to decide SNAP eligibility.
A person can use SNAP’s directory to find information specific to their state.
To be eligible for an SNP, a person must have Medicare Part A and Part B and live in a plan’s service area.
They must also meet the specific plan’s other eligibility criteria.
For a D-SNP, individuals must be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
SNAP benefits depend on a person’s household size and monthly income. SNAP expects participants to spend 30% of their net income on food. The average SNAP benefit amount for fiscal year 2025 is $199,” per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
State agencies cannot consider benefits from Medicare Advantage plans, even if they relate to food or groceries, when deciding whether a person is eligible for SNAP.
C-SNPs and D-SNPs are special needs plans that may include food and meal benefits. Eligibility for these plans depends on meeting Medicare’s requirements.
A person’s income and resources determine their SNAP eligibility.