TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- Tallahassee's Elder Care Services, Inc. is the first benefits program in Florida to accept food stamps from elderly families.
WTXL ABC 27's Alex Cordero explains how the new change could make a huge difference for those in need.
"This is the first time, that in the state of Florida, they're going to be allowed to use their EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards and purchase actual meals," said Zoila Huston, Division Director of Home and Community Based Services, of Elder Care Services, Inc. The company has an elderly meal-transport service called Meals on Wheels.
Meals on Wheels is a simple service. After fulfilling a few requirements, volunteers take boxes full of food to families who qualify.
That is great news for those in need because before June 1st, if you relied on EBT cards for food, you weren't able to use them for the "Meals on Wheels" program.
"We're talking about seniors that are completely alone at home", said Huston, "[They] don't have anyone to fix a meal. Maybe they can't even get around."
The EBT cards are given to those in need from the SNAP program.
"The SNAP program stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program", said Lisa Giacobbe, CFO of Elder Care Services, Inc. "And it allows low income people to get meal benefits."
And for some 150 elders on the waiting list for "Meals on Wheels", they can finally look forward to getting more food, without spending money out of their own pocket.
"It's just a big health risk for them, not receiving the meals they need", said Giacobbe, "Without the proper nutrition, that can cause all kinds of health-related issues."
"If we can help a lot of seniors, then their [Florida] plan is to distribute this to the rest of the Florida counties," said Huston.
