New York State Food Stamp Program

What If I Am A College Student

To participate in SNAP, a student, in college at least half time, must meet the for SNAP and one of the following criteria:

• Be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and be paid for such employment or, if self-employed, be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and receive weekly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.
• Participate in a State or Federally financed work study program during the regular school year.
• Provide more than half the physical care for one or more dependent household members under the age of six or provide more than half the physical care of dependent household member who has reached the age of six but is under the age of 12 where adequate child care is not available.
• Enrolled full-time in an institution of higher education and is a single parent with responsibility for the care of a dependent child under age 12.
• Receive benefits from Family Assistance or federally-funded Safety Net Assistance .
• Receive Unemployment Benefits .
• Attend a SUNY or CUNY comprehensive college, technology college, or community college and are enrolled in a qualified career and technical education program.
• Attend any of the 10 Educational Opportunity Centers in New York State and are enrolled in a career and technical education program, remedial course, basic adult education, literacy, or English as a second language.

New York Restaurant Meals Program

Certain people who get New York SNAP will soon be able to use them to buy restaurant meals thanks to a bill signed into law in October 2021 by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Prices would be reduced for the food stamp recipients.

Before the Restaurant Meals Program, SNAP benefit recipients were not allowed to use their EBT cards to buy prepared items.

However, that prevented some people who cant cook or prepare foods on their own from using their benefits.

The Restaurant Meal Program starts January 1, 2022.

Effective Jan. 1, 2022 New Yorkers battling hunger & food insecurity will now have more options thanks to a brand new program signed by Restaurant Meals Program.

Liz Lewin

$230 Million In Supplemental Snap Benefits Available For New York Residents

ALBANY, N.Y. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday more than $200 million in food assistance funds for New Yorkers in January.

New York residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for the month of January 2022. This will also include those residents who already receive the maximum benefit, who will receive a supplemental allotment later this month of at least $95.

“As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet,” Hochul said. “These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.”

SNAP households in all counties outside NYC should see the supplemental benefits posted sometime between January 12 and January 21.

More than 2.77 million New York residents use SNAP benefits to make ends meet. Many continue to rely on the funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OTDA Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “The tremendous impact these food benefits have had for New York households cannot be overstated. The additional benefits SNAP households have received since the onset of the pandemic have helped millions of New Yorkers to avoid food insecurity and make ends meet during the ongoing public health emergency.”

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Preparing For The New York Food Stamps Interview

The New York food stamps interview is a useful tool for both the petitioners and the OTDA. On one hand, claimants can use these conversations with office representatives to finish any portions of their applications that they could not complete on their own. Conversely, the OTDA can use the NY SNAP interview to ask claimants additional questions in order to establish if they legitimately qualify for program benefits. In some cases when petitioners file in person, their SNAP interviews may take place the same day. However, other circumstances require petitioners to visit the office at later dates.

Regardless, petitioners wondering, What do you need for the food stamps interview? need to remember that their primary obligation is to validate any claims they make in their applications. This means that claimants who say they make a certain amount of money need to be able to prove that their reports are accurate. The questions asked during the food stamps interview will relate to information such as this. As a result, claimants who ask, What do you bring to a food stamp interview? should know that they need to prepare any written proof of the facts they provided on their initial petitions.

In many cases, state representatives will contact petitioners when it is time for them to schedule and complete their NY food stamps interview. However, there are some counties throughout the state where applicants can reach out to the DSS directly in order to schedule their assessments.

Pandemic Food Reserve Emergency Distribution Program

The Pandemic Food Reserve Emergency Distribution Program established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis responds to the increase in food insecurity that resulted from the pandemic. Currently, the P-FRED program distributes fresh and shelf-stable food to more than 400 COVID-response emergency feeding programs that serve the public. Please for a list of all P-FRED locations by borough. New locations are being added regularly so please check this list frequently.

For more information about the program, please email .

To find the hours of operation for locations near you please call that location or email and include the subject line Hours of Operation.

If you are an EFP interested in enrolling in the P-FRED program, please email and include the subject line New Application.

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Suny Oneonta Student From Rensselaer County Dies

NEW YORK Households in New York enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum level of food benefits this month.

This was confirmed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul on January 11. Gov. Hochul also announced that all households participating in SNAP will receive an additional allotment later in January, totaling $230 million.

Emergency assistance supplements are given to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefits per month through SNAP. However, households already near or at the maximum level of benefits will receive a minimum payment of $95 in January.

As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, Governor Hochul said in a press release. These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.

According to the Governors Office, as of November 2021, there were nearly 1.6 million households totaling 2.77 million New Yorkers that were receiving SNAP benefits. A breakdown of the maximum SNAP Benefit allowances in New York is included in the chart below:

Learn About New York Food Stamps

The New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , often referred to as food stamps, is designed to help low-income families afford groceries on a monthly basis. At the state level, the program is administered by the Department of Social Services. At the federal level, the SNAP program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture .

In order to qualify for SNAP assistance, you must fall within a certain income level and provide information about your households demographics and expenses. Once you begin the application process, you will also be required to undergo an interview that will confirm the personal details you have provided.

If you are approved, you will receive benefits on an electronic benefit transfer card, which can be used the same way as you would a debit card. Read on for more information about SNAP benefits in New York.

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New York Food Stamps Eligibility Guidelines

New York SNAP Eligibility and benefit amounts are based on:

• Income
• Resources
• Number of people living in the household

However, in addition to the above, you must meet other requirements in order to be approved for benefits.

Listed below are the other eligibility requirements you need to meet in order to qualify for New York SNAP benefits.

New York Moves To Allow Food Stamp Recipients To Use Benefits At Restaurants

Lawmakers in New York are seeking to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to use the benefits in restaurants.

I think it’s important, particularly now when our small businesses have been suffering and our restaurants have been suffering, to provide them with another source of revenue so our folks could use their SNAP benefits to buy some hot, prepared healthy options at our local delis and our local restaurants, said Democratic Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, who sponsored the legislation.

The bill, which passed the Assembly, would allow SNAP recipients to use benefits on hot or prepared foods from approved restaurants, delis, and grocery stores at reduced prices. The state Senate passed similar legislation earlier this year, but changes in the new legislation will require lawmakers to pass the revised version.

Current law does not allow SNAP benefits to be used on prepared food or foods eaten in a store.

THOMAS MASSIE SHOCKED BY FOOD STAMPS IN THE MAIL FOR HIS HIGH SCHOOL CHILD

The bill is opposed by Republican Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, who said the legislation wouldn’t require the benefits be used on healthy food options.

Goodell also expressed concerns that not all businesses would enjoy the income of the expanded benefits.

Democratic Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes pushed back on Republican opposition, noting restaurants are required to list the caloric content of their meals.

Lawmakers passed the legislation passed with a 112-35 vote.

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How Much Will A Family Of 5 Get In New York Snap

Using the same example above, we are going to calculate how much Emilys family will get if they were a family of 5 with the same $2,500 net income.

From the table above, the maximum a household of 5 could receive in New York SNAP is $992.

Example: Emily and his family of five have $2,500 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the familys SNAP benefits, take 30% of the net income and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:

$ 2,500 Net Income for Emilys familyx .30 $ 750 Countable Income$ 992 Maximum SNAP for 5 persons-$750 Countable income$ 242 Monthly SNAP benefits for Emilys family

How Do I Use And Access My Cash And Snap Benefits

New York recipients may access their cash and SNAP benefits at participating EBT locations anywhere within New York State. Cash benefits may also be accessed at participating ATM and authorized retail store locations.

Your EBT card and Personal Identification Number are used at authorized retail stores with your cash or SNAP benefits. Many retail stores also provide cash back with your purchase. Check with the store for their cash back policy.

• Swipe the card.
• Enter your PIN in the machine at the checkout line.
• Only you should enter your PIN.
• Always check and keep your receipts for your EBT purchases.

For more information:

• Off-track betting facilities
• Commercial bingo facilities and
• Places that provide adult oriented entertainment in which performers take off their clothes or perform without clothes

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Filing Out A Paper Application

You can obtain a paper application at your nearest food stamp center or by downloading it at the following Link:

Once you have obtained the physical / paper application form, you should to answer all the questions on the application form and make sure that all your answers are in the provided spaces. In the event that you have problems filling out the application forms, you should consult with the New York Food Stamp Program representatives at the local food stamp center.

The next step is to submit the application and copies of the required support documents at the local food stamp centre or via mail or fax to the food stamp centre.

The next step is to setup an interview where you will meet with a program representative, who will ask you questions, concerning your application. During the interview you will be required to provide documentation that proofs your identity, so you should remember to carry them. Some of the things that you need to bring to the interview include:

• Proof of Identity
• Proof of address such a house lease, gas or electric bill, or mortgage statement. However this does not apply to individuals who are homeless.
• Proof of shelter costs
• Those who are working or looking for work, need to provide proof child care expenses

Supplemental Benefits For Households With School

P-EBT benefits are NOT SNAP benefits. They are a temporary food supplement benefit issued to households with school-aged children who would otherwise receive free or reduced-price meals, whether they are learning remotely or at school.

P-EBT food benefits can be used to purchase unprepared food at participating supermarkets and bodegas that accept EBT transactions. A detailed list of food items that may be purchased with the P-EBT benefits can be found at this is the same list for households with SNAP benefits.

P-EBT food benefits remain available and accessible on the EBT card for up to one year from the date issued. Households in NYS may check their EBT balance by visiting or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

Households with questions about their P-EBT food benefits or those who have not received the P-EBT food benefit should visit P-EBT Contact Form.

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Food Stamps 2022 Update Extra $95 Snap Checks Being Sent Out In 38 States As February Benefits Schedule Revealed

• 19:31 ET, Feb 25 2022

A MAJORITY of states have extended their support for food stamp claimants in February, as millions are once again getting an automatic benefit boost.

In January, the vast majority of states extended the emergency SNAP benefits.

While the amount of extra money eligible families may receive generally depends on family size, $95 is the minimum households must be given.

Many states have made their benefits available within the first 10 days of February.

However, if you live in states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, or Indiana you might get your benefits later in the month.

The order you receive your food stamps each month could depend on case number, client name, and ID number.

Food stamps are reportedly loaded into your Electronic Benefits Transfer card on the same day every month.

Read our food stamps live blog for the latest news and updates…

• Amanda Castro