Proper nutrition for seniors is essential for good health and only a cllick away on The National Council on the Aging's free online 'BenefitsCheckUp'

Despite living in the world's most bountiful food-producing country, the number of seniors who suffer from hunger in the U.S. is growing rapidly, according to The National Council on the Aging (NCOA).

According to the USDA, more than three quarters of a million Americans over 65 and living alone have difficulty providing themselves with a steady supply of food and experience some degree of hunger.

Fortunately, there are federal and state programs to help. They include the Food Stamp Program, the Elderly Nutrition Program - Congregate or Group Meals, and the Elderly Nutrition Program - Home Delivered Meals. But, about 60 percent of those who qualify for federal and state programs like these have not enrolled.

You or someone you know can find out quickly if you qualify for nutrition programs by using BenefitsCheckUp(R) at http://www.benefitscheckup.org/. It is the first of its kind, free, confidential, Web-based service designed to identify benefits and help people over 55 determine how to claim them. Last year alone, more than 275,000 people used BenefitsCheckUp and, among users, about 100,400 found they were eligible for nutrition benefits they were not yet receiving.

"Hunger can be life-threatening," said NCOA President and CEO James Firman. "Seniors who experience hunger are at risk for serious health problems. Hunger increases the risk for stroke, exacerbates pre-existing ill health conditions, limits the efficiency of many prescription drugs, and may affect brain chemistry increasing the incidence of depression and isolation. BenefitsCheckUp is a quick and easy way to see if you or someone you know qualifies for programs that can save lives as well as hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year."

BenefitsCheckUp can also help seniors find health care programs, prescription drug assistance, in-home services, energy assistance, financial assistance, legal services, housing assistance and property tax programs, as well as employment programs and volunteer opportunities. Since the service was launched in 2001, more than 1.4 million reports identifying benefits programs have been completed.

About NCOA

Founded in 1950, The National Council on the Aging is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons, and to increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations. For more information on NCOA, visit http://www.ncoa.org/. The NCOA president and CEO is James Firman