- Programs like Medicaid and SNAP help those in need, but they depend on income levels.
- Many older Americans face a tough choice: work more and risk losing benefits.
- Navigating income limits can feel tricky for retirees wanting extra cash.
Claudia Rufino is 72 and tries to limit her income.
She, like many others, relies on programs like Medicaid and housing assistance. Rufino fears that earning a little more could take away her benefits.
“Being a part of society matters to me,” she said. “But working too much feels like a punishment.”
More seniors are choosing to return to work, hoping to stay connected and add to their savings. However, essential programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and rental assistance have strict income limits. This often leads seniors like Rufino to avoid earning too much money.
Rufino lives mainly on her $1,103 Social Security check. She also makes extra money working with foster children, but it’s just a few hundred dollars a month. Recently, she had to decline a better-paying job because it would push her income above Utah’s Medicaid threshold, which would mean higher medical costs.
Additionally, a higher salary could affect her rental assistance, making it hard for her to afford her housing. With limited savings, Rufino feels stuck.
“Going back to work isn’t worth it for me,” she said. “I can’t earn enough to make it worthwhile.”
Many low-income seniors find themselves caught in this dilemma. According to reports, government aid has grown over the years, with programs like Medicaid and SNAP contributing significantly to personal income. Yet, the poverty line has barely changed since the 1960s, making it harder for many to qualify for assistance while also trying to make ends meet.
Take Judith Murray, for example. At 64, she relies on $1,311 from Social Security and $1,174 a month from SNAP. She supports a household of seven, including children and grandchildren. “It may sound like a lot, but it really isn’t,” she explained.
Murray has been low-income her entire life and lacks savings. After being out of work for a while due to disabilities, she is now considering returning to the job market to help her family pay bills. However, she worries that earning a bit more could reduce her SNAP benefits and jeopardize her ability to buy groceries.
“It’s frightening not to be able to provide for your family,” she said.
Tim Shaw, a director at the Aspen Institute, says navigating these benefits can be incredibly stressful for older Americans transitioning back to work. The eligibility criteria are often different across programs, which adds to the confusion.
“Most people would benefit from going back to work,” said Karen Smith from the Urban Institute. It allows seniors to make their savings last longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
For many like Murray, the path isn’t clear. At her age and with years away from work, she worries about being hired. Even if she gets a job, her benefits are crucial to keeping her family afloat.
“It’s not an easy journey,” she shared. “We still have birthdays and holidays to celebrate. Using my SNAP card to buy a birthday cake does not mean I want to disappoint my family.”
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