FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eligibility for Pa.’ Senior Box Program
Nearly Doubles under New Federal Income Levels
Another 300,000 seniors would be able to seek assistance
under changes set to take effect Jan. 1
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 14, 2024) --- More than 300,000 additional older Pennsylvanians will be eligible for the state’s Senior Food Box Program under new federal income limits set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The change will nearly double the number of low-income seniors who can seek food assistance in the commonwealth.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is increasing the Federal Poverty Level for participation in the Community Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) from 130 percent to 150 percent in the new year. Hunger-Free Pennsylvania administers CSFP in Pennsylvania as the Senior Food Box Program.
Every month, the Senior Food Box Program gives senior citizens healthy and nutritious food, including milk, meat, vegetables, pasta, and cereal. CSFP helps the program by buying food and giving it to the state Department of Agriculture for the senior food boxes, which are distributed by Hunger-Free Pennsylvania’s member food banks.
“Our seniors deserve nutritious and healthy food,” Hunger-Free Pennsylvania Executive Director Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA, said. “Updating the guidelines to reflect better the challenges older Pennsylvanians face today means more people will have consistent access to the vital resources they need to fight food insecurity.”
Under the new federal income levels, the number of Pennsylvania seniors who will be eligible for the Senior Food Box Program will nearly double from 343,485 to 645,685. More than 40,225 seniors currently benefit from the program, and about 7,500 seniors each month have their boxes delivered directly to their homes.
Hunger-Free Pennsylvania is working with the Department of Agriculture to request a caseload increase of 2,712 individuals who would be served proportionately across the state within the network’s 16-food bank service area. Caseloads vary each year and will not be determined by the federal government until 2025.
“It is absolutely critical that we ensure necessary funding so we can keep pace with rising costs and expanded eligibility to ensure we reach these new tiers of Pennsylvania seniors in need,” Haniff said.
In Pennsylvania, eligible participants for the state’s Senior Food Box Program include low-income individuals who are at least 60 years old and, as of Jan. 1, 2025, whose household income is at or below 150 percent of the U.S. poverty level.
Seniors can fill out the self-certification form found on Agriculture’s website at https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/senior-food-box-program.html or call 800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the senior food box in their county of residence.
For more information, visit www.pafoodbanks.org.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA
Executive Director | Hunger-Free Pennsylvania
(c): 412.290.3045 | shaniff@pafoodbanks.org
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