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Senate File 1110 would raise Minnesota''s SNAP minimum for seniors; committee hears personal and policy testimony, amendment adopted
Summary
Senate File 1110 would raise the state-funded supplement to the federal SNAP minimum for certain seniors from $23 to $50 per month; an author's amendment adjusted age eligibility and removed commissioner discretion, and the committee laid the measure over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 1110, presented by Sen. Mann on Feb. 19, would increase the SNAP minimum benefit for qualifying seniors by raising the state-funded supplement for those eligible from $23 to $50 per month.
Nut graf: Advocates and health and aging organizations told the committee that the current minimum is inadequate for many older Minnesotans on fixed incomes, and that improving the benefit could reduce health risks, improve nutrition and increase local grocery spending.
Supporters included Peter Whytock of The Food Group, who testified that $23 per month “barely scratches the surface” for seniors buying nutritious food. Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota cited research showing older women and women of color face disproportionate risk of food insecurity. Rhonda Elstead, a committee witness who receives SSI and disability benefits and is nearing age 65, described being forced to rely increasingly on food shelves and asked lawmakers to increase the benefit for dignity and choice.
Procedure: The committee adopted an A1 amendment that changed the eligible age from 55 to 60 (to align with federal definitions) and removed a line giving the commissioner authority to change minimum benefits. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion; no roll-call vote was recorded.
Ending: Testifiers argued an increase would be cost-effective — advocates cited multipliers showing SNAP spending returns to local economies — and would directly assist thousands of older Minnesotans who use SNAP or food shelves to meet basic nutritional needs.
