Help Seniors with the SNAP program/EBT Cards

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Who are we?

• Council on Aging of Buncombe County was formed in 1964 to address the needs of seniors in our community. We are a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• Our Vision: A community where everyone has the opportunity to age successfully.
• Our Mission: Promote the independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy.

https://www.coabc.org/

Introduction to this Volunteer Opportunity:
Food is essential. In economically challenging times, access to food becomes more difficult for vulnerable populations. Not enough seniors in our community have a place they can turn to for help with food insecurities. When seniors don't have the support system they need, they can often spiral into situations that are hard to climb out of.

Together, we can help change that! With the support of volunteers, seniors can be introduced to different ways Council on Aging of Buncombe County can assist with feeding our senior community.

About the Program:
https://www.coabc.org/benefits/

Council on Aging of Buncombe County, has established a Benefits Enrollment Center for seniors living in Buncombe and surrounding counties. The Benefits Enrollment Center provides free screening and enrollment services. A specialist will first conduct a personalized benefits screening for you, based on your specific situation and needs. This will determine what benefit programs you are eligible to enroll in. Then, the specialist will help you complete and submit the applications for these programs.

The purpose of the Center is to find and enroll low-income Medicare beneficiaries into the public benefits for which they are eligible, giving them access to medical care, prescription drugs, healthy food, Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP).

How YOU can Help:
You can help Seniors learn about, and apply for SNAP/EBT food assistance. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and EBT is the Election Benefits Transfer card. You can choose to help with outreach in the community so that our Seniors know that Council on Aging of Buncombe County is here to assist them with this program and more. You could also learn how to help Seniors fill out the SNAP application.
You will serve low income Medicare recipients as an unbiased, knowledgeable guide, providing education and assistance with navigating through the application process to help them receive much needed assistance.

We are very flexible and will work with your schedule.

The safety of you and our clients is our highest priority. Here's what's required for this role:

• Clear criminal background check
• Orientation and training with Council on Aging of Buncombe County
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to sensitively work with seniors, counseling them about issues that can be intimidating and confusing.
• Someone willing to learn basic education about the Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) and what benefits are available for lower income Seniors.
• Someone willing to reach out to areas in the community to inform them how Council on Aging of Buncombe County can assist, specifically pertaining to food insecurities and our Benefits Enrollment Center.
• Someone able to assist clients with benefits applications and maintain awareness of changes to income guidelines.

Still interested? Contact us today!

Simply show your interest with this volunteer position to get started. Within 24 hours we'll email you a volunteer application, it's an online form that is very easy to fill out. It's that simple!

Our Volunteer Positions can work with your schedule. We look forward to meeting you!