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SNAP program
USINFO | 2013-10-22 16:19
SNAP is just one of many nutrition programs available. The federal government and many state and local government agencies sponsor numerous programs that provide people with information about, and access to, a more also are set up to improve the health and eating habits of children.
Here are two examples:
Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• The WIC program provides nutritious foods to supplement the diets of lowincome pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women, infants and children up to five years of age. It also provides nutrition education and referrals to health services and other assistance programs.
• WIC is administered by the Department of Agriculture through state health epartments. Eligibility is based on income and on nutritional risk as determined by a health professional.
Nutrition Services IncentiveProgram (NSIP)
• NSIP (formerly Nutrition Program for the Elderly or NPE) is a food program designed to help older people. It isrun by the Department of Health and Human Services through the state agencies on aging. NPE is part of the Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging, which also authorizes in-home services for frail elderly people, support services and senior center operations. The nutrition services program provides elderly Americans with nutritious meals.
• If you are age 60 or older, you are eligible for the program and so is your spouse, even if he or she is not 60 years old. Age is the only factor used to decide if you are eligible. You do not have to meet any income limits to get meals through the program.
• Neighborhood centers for the elderly serve well-balanced, hot or cold meals at least once a day, five days a week.
When possible, transportation is offered to and from the sites for those who need it. Home-delivered meals, usually called “Meals on Wheels,” are provided to elderly people who are homebound.
