Beginning August 1, 2008, the Alabama Food Assistance Division is implementing a pilot project designed to make it easier for elderly households to apply for food assistance. The Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project (AESAP) is being piloted in Clay, Calhoun and Jefferson counties with plans to extend the program statewide this October.
AESAP is for households where all members are age 60 or older and have no earned income. To be eligible for food assistance benefits, applicants must complete a simple two-page application and verify their out-of-pocket medical expenses, citizenship status and any questionable information.
Benefits will be calculated according to normal food assistance program rules. However, households eligible for food assistance under AESAP will not have to come into the Food Assistance Office for an interview. Applicants may be contacted by phone if there is other information needed to determine eligibility for the program.
If eligible, the household will be certified for three years, instead of the usual one year. An annual report form answering questions about the household’s current situation must be sent in each year.
Anyone living in one of these three counties interested in getting more information, or applying for food assistance through this project, can contact the AESAP program by calling the new toll-free number, 1-800-438-2958.
