SNAP and food help for older adults in Utah

In short: If you are 60 or older in Utah, SNAP food benefits use easier rules, and medical costs can raise your benefit. From May through September, the state's Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives a $50 coupon booklet for fresh produce to people 60 and over with income at or below 185% of the poverty level. Apply for SNAP at jobs.utah.gov/mycase, and call 1-800-453-3663 for farmers market coupons.

SNAP for people 60 and over

SNAP (food stamps) in Utah is run by the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). If someone in your home is 60 or older, or gets certain disability payments, these rules apply:

Rule Households with someone 60+ or disabled
Gross income test Does not apply. You only need to pass the net income test.
Countable assets Up to $4,750
Medical costs Costs you pay over $35 a month can be deducted

What counts

  • Income: Social Security, SSI, pensions and other money coming in each month count.
  • Medical costs of a member who is 60 or older or disabled can lower your countable income. Bring proof of your bills and of the insurance premiums you pay.

How to apply for SNAP

  1. Online: jobs.utah.gov/mycase. This is the easiest way.
  2. In person: at a DWS employment center.
  3. By mail: call DWS at 1-866-435-7414 (801-526-0950 in Salt Lake County) for a paper application. This may take longer.

Papers: You do not need any documents when you first turn in the application. An application with only your name, address and signature is accepted, and it holds your start date. You will need to finish it and give proof before DWS decides.

Timing: Benefits count from the day you apply. If you have very little money, you may get expedited benefits within seven days. For that, you only need to prove who you are at first.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Utah's Department of Health and Human Services runs this program. The hotline is run by Utahns Against Hunger.

Who qualifies (all of these):

  • 60 or older
  • Live in Utah now
  • Household gross income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines (the table runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
  • Have not already received coupons this year

What you get: $50 in coupons once a year for fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey.

How to get coupons:

  1. Fill out the self-declaration form. You can get it at farmers markets and bulk purchase sites, or download it from Utahns Against Hunger (uah.org).
  2. Take it to an enrollment site. Farmers markets and bulk purchase sites can sign you up. Farm stands can only take coupons, not sign you up.
  3. If you cannot go yourself, a proxy can pick up your coupons with your signed form.
  4. Coupons are given out first come, first served while they last.

Dates for 2026: coupons were given out May 1 to September 30, and can be spent until October 15.

Questions: SFMNP hotline, 1-800-453-3663.

Other food help

  • Double Up Food Bucks: If you get SNAP, you can get extra money for fruits and vegetables at participating sites.
  • Senior meals: Your Area Agency on Aging offers weekday lunches at senior centers and Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors. Find yours at daas.utah.gov/locations.

After you apply for SNAP

  • Recertify when DWS tells you, through myCase.
  • Report changes in income, household, expenses or resources through myCase.
  • If you are denied, you can file an appeal. See the appeals page on jobs.utah.gov or the instructions on your notice.

Things people miss

  • Many older adults do not report medical costs. They can raise your benefit.
  • You can apply with just your name, address and signature to lock in your start date.
  • Farmers market coupons do not depend on SNAP. You can get them even if you do not get SNAP.

Free help

  • DWS: 1-866-435-7414 (801-526-0950 in Salt Lake County)
  • SFMNP hotline: 1-800-453-3663
  • Area Agencies on Aging: daas.utah.gov/locations
  • SHIP (Medicare counseling): 1-800-541-7735

See all benefits in Utah and Extra Help.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Utah agencies

Check what you may qualify for

Sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18