The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance program that makes America stronger by helping eligible households to purchase the food they need to keep themselves and their families healthy. It is a needs-based entitlement program, which means that anyone who applies for food stamp benefits and meets the programs eligibility requirements may receive benefits. It is the only entitlement food program that is available to people of all ages. 

The program can trace its origins back to the Food Stamp Plan, a Depression era food assistance program designed to help needy families. The Program as we know it today began as a pilot in 1961 and was permanently authorized in 1964. In 1974, Congress required every state to offer the Food Stamp Program. 

The history of the Food Stamp Program:

 

Benefits
Currently, the Food Stamp Program helps put food on the table for some 26.5 million people each day. It provides eligible households with a card (called an Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card) that operates like a debit card which can be used like money to buy food at most grocery stores, supermarkets, co-ops, and participating farmers' markets. You do not have to pay for food stamps. Unfortunately, in NYS many of those who are eligible for food stamp benefits are not receiving them because they do not realize they are eligible.

Eligibility
Eligibility for the Food Stamp Program is based on factors such as household income, immigrant status, and meeting work requirements. It also has special eligibility rules for households that contain a senior or disabled member. In order to receive food stamps benefits, certain guidelines must be met. 

For further assistance in determining whether your family is eligible for food stamps: 

 Nutrition Outreach and Education Program: NOEP Coordinators can provide a free and confidential prescreening for Food Stamp benefits over the phone, in person, and/or through a home visit. They can also assist with the application process, and make sure that a household receives the correct amount of food stamps.

myBenefits: NYS new quick and easy website that helps determine if you might be eligible for a variety of nutrition assistance and work support programs.

Food Stamps In New York State: An Eligibility Prescreening Guide October 2011:  In-depth information on Food Stamp Program eligibility and application process. (Adobe pdf may take a few minutes to load)

Article on NYS Nutrition Improvement Project – Some Social Security Income (SSI) recipients can receive Food Stamps automatically.
NYS implemented a demonstration project called the NYS Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) late in 2003. This project is designed to help seniors and disabled people who live alone and get SSI to be automatically enrolled to receive food stamp benefits. 

Funding
In New York State, the Food Stamp Program is funded and governed by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), local county Departments of Social Services, and the Human Resources Administration in New York City.  Click here for a chart that outlines the organizational structure of the Food Stamp Program. 

Food Stamp Participation in NYS
The Food Stamp Program is greatly underutilized by eligible households in NYS.  It is estimated that one-third to one-half of all eligible New Yorkers are not receiving food stamp benefits.  Below, find links to other materials concerning food stamp participation in NYS.

The Importance of the Food Stamp Program in NYS - updated April 2011
U.S. and NYS Selected Characteristics of Food Stamp Households 2002 – 2007
OTDA monthly Food Stamp Program statistics by county
Find the year and month that you are looking for and click on it, then go to Table 16.