Press Release

Welch Joins Bicameral Bill to Fight Senior Hunger, Expand SNAP Benefits for Older Americans 

Apr 16, 2026

Nearly 38% of Vermont households participating in SNAP have an elderly person 

9.6% of older Vermonters live below the poverty line 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, cosponsored the Senior Hunger Prevention Act, bicameral legislation led by Senate Aging Committee Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—called 3Squares in Vermont—benefits for older Americans. U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06) introduced companion legislation in the House. 

“3SquaresVT is vital to helping feed Vermont’s 19,000 seniors who rely on food stamps to put food on the table. That $187 a month in benefits—just six bucks a day—is even more essential as Vermonters grapple with astronomical grocery prices as a result of Trump’s reckless economic policies. That’s why it’s more important than ever to not only protect, but expand these benefits,” said Senator Welch. “Congress must pass the Senior Hunger Prevention Act to ensure that older Americans can access vital nutrition assistance and age with dignity.” 

“Skyrocketing grocery prices in President Trump’s America have left too many seniors struggling to put food on the table,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Unfortunately, the complexity of the current application process for SNAP benefits deters many older adults from using this critical resource. My legislation would simplify the SNAP application process for seniors and increase the monthly benefit available to all SNAP participants. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I am committed to getting this bill across the finish line so that every senior can access the resources they need for healthy aging.” 

“It is unacceptable that in our wealthy nation, more than 12 million seniors don’t have enough to eat,” said Rep. Bonamici. “Federal nutrition programs like SNAP are intended to end hunger, but too many older adults and people with disabilities can’t easily access them. This bill will make it easier for older adults and adults with disabilities to benefit from nutrition assistance and will raise the value of SNAP benefits so older Americans can age with dignity.” 

“Across Oregon, too many seniors are struggling to afford groceries while also keeping up with the rising cost of rent, utilities, and health care,” said Rep. Salinas. “Older adults and caregivers face unnecessary administrative barriers to accessing the nutrition support they qualify for. The Senior Hunger Prevention Act will help cut through that red tape, expand access to healthy, local food, and ensure Oregonians can age with dignity and security. I’m proud to help lead this effort so that no senior in our state has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.” 

Despite facing high rates of food insecurity, less than one-third of eligible older adults are enrolled in SNAP. The Senior Hunger Prevention Act would eliminate unnecessary administrative hurdles to make it easier for seniors to receive SNAP benefits. Specifically, the bill would: 

  • Increase the minimum monthly SNAP benefit for all participants;  
  • Simplify application and certification processes for eligible individuals in nutrition programs, including SNAP, and ensure they can stay enrolled in programs for longer periods of time;  
  • Support outreach efforts to enroll more older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities in nutrition programs;  
  • Enable adults with disabilities to participate in additional nutrition assistance programs; 
  • Provide grants to non-profits, local aging and disability service providers, and related organizations to bring fresh, local food to accessible locations;  
  • Expand SNAP food delivery options through public-private partnerships and strengthen retail delivery options for older adults and people with disabilities. 

In addition to Senators Welch, Gillibrand, and Fetterman, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.). 

The Senior Hunger Prevention Act is endorsed by: ADvancing States; Alliance to End Hunger; Center for Science in the Public Interest; Defeat Malnutrition Today; Feeding New York State; Feeding Pennsylvania; Feeding Westchester; Generations United; Hunger Free America; Hunger Solutions New York; Justice in Aging; Long Island Cares, Inc. — The Harry Chapin Food Bank; MAZON; Meals on Wheels America; Meals on Wheels Association of Georgia; Meals on Wheels Association of New York State; Meals on Wheels California; Philabundance; Share Our Strength; The Gerontological Society of America; The National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs; The National Council on Aging; and USAging. A list of quotes from endorsing organizations can be found here. 

Senator Welch has been a leading advocate for protecting and expanding access to nutrition programs in the Senate. The Senator has led bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help more Americans access SNAP and improve nutrition, including the COLAs Don’t Count Act, Farm to School Act, Keep SNAP Funded Act, Local School Foods Expansion Act, Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025, Student Loan Deduction Act, Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and the School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act.   

Read and download the full text of the bill. 

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