Field Operations Memo 2008-38 - The Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants - July 10, 2008

Sep 19, 2026

Field Operations Memo 2008-38 from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance explains outreach and processing changes for a simplified food stamp application for elderly applicants aged 60 or older. It outlines the purpose of streamlining the application, describes what questions the one-page form does not include (with BEACON handling follow-ups), and specifies required processing steps. Attachment A provides the applicant and household information fields, eligibility checks, and contact, identity, citizenship, residency, and special situation items.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Using the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants

Questions

Attachment A: Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants

Applicant Information

Household Information

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Transitional Assistance 600 Washington Street y Boston, MA 02111 DEVAL L. PATRICK JUDYANN BIGBY, M.D. Governor Secretary TIMOTHY P. MURRAY JULIA E. KEHOE Lieutenant Governor Commissioner Field Operations Memo 2008-38 July 10, 2008 To: Transitional Assistance Office Staff From: John Augeri, Assistant Commissioner for Field Operations Re: The Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants Overview The Food Stamp Program enables low-income households to purchase food. Many people, although eligible, do not receive food stamp benefits. This is particularly true for the elderly whom USDA has identified as a target population for food stamp outreach. Based on this information and to increase outreach efforts among the elderly, the Department has created anew simplified food stamp application form for use by applicants aged 60 or older. This form helps to streamline the application process and removes alongstanding barrier for this population. This Field Operations Memo: • introduces the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants (Attachment A); and • issues procedures for processing applications received using this form. The Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants The Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants is a shortened version of the regular food stamp application form. It was fashioned after the regular food stamp application form, but adapted to reflect the general circumstances of elders. The form specifically does not include questions about childcare expenses, child support payments, boarders or foster care (although these questions will be asked during the BEACON interactive interview). However, it asks about medical expenses such as adult day care expenses which denote circumstances more common to elderly applicants. The Rights and Responsibilities Penalty Warning (RR/FSP-1B) page is attached at the back of the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants. This RR/FSP-1B is for informational purposes only. It does not contain a signature line and does not have to be signed and returned. The form is only one page front to back. Using the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants Questions 2008-38 Page 2 | The Simplified Food Stamp Application Form for Elderly Applicants was created for use by:
• elderly individuals living alone (for food stamp purposes, aged 60 or older); or
• elderly couples living alone; or
• elderly individuals or couples who live with others but who constitute a separate food stamp household.
If a household that does not fit the definition of an elderly household as outlined above submits an application for food stamp benefits using the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants, the Department must accept the application, provided it is an adequate application.
Note: An adequate application contains name, address (if any) and signature.
The Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants must be processed in accordance with established food stamp application procedures. Like any other applicant, an applicant who uses the Simplified Food Stamp Application Form for Elderly Applicants must complete the application process, be interviewed by telephone or in person, and submit all required verifications.
While it is a requirement that all food stamp applicants be interviewed, it is particularly important that applicants who use the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants are interviewed so that questions that appear on BEACON but not on the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants are addressed. | | --- | | Example: Questions about child support payments do not appear on the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants, but appear in BEACON. During the interactive interview the client would have an opportuni

FAQs

What is the purpose of Field Operations Memo 2008-38?

It introduces the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants and issues procedures for processing applications received using that form.

Who can use the Simplified Food Stamp Application for Elderly Applicants?

Elderly individuals living alone (aged 60 or older), elderly couples living alone, or elderly individuals/couples living with others but forming a separate food stamp household.

What makes an application “adequate” according to the memo?

An adequate application contains name, address (if any), and signature.

Sep 19, 2026

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