1/14/21 Update:
COVID-19 Emergency Allotments to Families/Individuals Receiving SNAP in January: Including a 15% Boost to Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotments
Emergency Allotments (EA) of SNAP benefits were authorized by Congress under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) previously approved NYS’s plan to distribute EA of SNAP benefits each month from March – December 2020. FNS recently approved NYS’s request to provide EA for SNAP recipients in the month of January.
It is important to note that the newest COVID-19 relief package, passed in December, boosts the SNAP maximum benefit by 15 percent for six months (through June 2021). See our updated budget worksheet (page 2, chart D) for the new maximum SNAP monthly benefits per household size. For additional information on the SNAP investments and other critical nutrition assistance provisions in the new COVID-19 relief package, see our summary.
See the COVID-19 January Emergency Allotments to SNAP Households guidance from OTDA.
This Consumer FAQ explains who will receive the January EA supplement benefit, provides a chart with the new January 1 SNAP maximum benefit allotments and highlights what SNAP clients should know about this supplement SNAP benefit.
Issuance schedule for January 2021:
- NYC: issuance based on the last digit of the case number on 1/15, from 1/19 through 1/22, and from 1/25 through 1/29/2021.
- Rest of State: issuance based on each districts caseload which will be divided randomly, from 1/11 through 1/14, and from 1/18 through 1/21/2021.
- For all households the SNAP EA benefits will be available to eligible families the day after they are issued per the schedules above.
Other important details:
- Only households that receive less than the maximum SNAP benefits for their household size in January are eligible for the January EA supplement SNAP benefit. See the chart in the FAQ for maximum monthly benefits by household size.
- The January EA supplement benefits will be automatically added to the SNAP EBT card of each eligible SNAP household. A notice about the EA supplement will not be sent by the SNAP office. Those eligible for the supplement should keep checking their EBT balance.
- For newly approved SNAP cases in January eligible for the EA supplement: additional issuances will be run to catch those cases that did not receive the January EA supplement in the original issuances listed above.
- Families and individuals who get SNAP and who are eligible to receive the January EA SNAP supplemental benefit do not need to do anything. SNAP clients do not need to apply for the benefit and are being asked not to call local districts to inquire about the benefit.
- EA SNAP supplement benefits do not need to be spent immediately. Unused SNAP benefits, including the EA supplement, remain available on the EBT card for up to one year from the date they appear on the card.
11/9/20 Update:
On November 9, OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
The Continuing Resolution (CR) recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on October 1, 2020, reinstated the SNAP interview adjustment waivers and certification extension period waiver originally authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The CR reinstated and extended the availability of these waivers through June 30, 2021.
In NYS, these waivers have been extended further and will now be in effect from October 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. These waivers are optional for SNAP offices. SNAP offices have a choice in implementing these waivers.
Interview at Initial Application and Recertification
SNAP offices are not required to interview a household at initial application or recertification through March 31, 2021 if the following conditions are met:
- the applicant’s identity has been verified; and,
- all other mandatory information and verification has been provided and is valid:
- Identity
- Social Security Number
- Residency
- Gross non-exempt income (earned and unearned)
- Disability
- Immigration Status (also referred to as, “Alien Status” by OTDA)
If either of these conditions are not met, then an interview will be required.
SNAP offices are directed to make every attempt to verify household circumstances through data matching and information currently present in the State and district systems.
SNAP offices will be required to interview the household if any of the information or verification submitted is unclear or cannot be verified through separate data matches.
New Applications Eligible for Expedited Processing
SNAP offices can choose to apply the following rules through March 31, 2021:
- SNAP applications found eligible for expedited processing may be processed and an expedited benefit issued without an interview being attempted or taking place if the following conditions are met:
- the applicant’s identity has been verified; and
- the applicant has provided enough information for the SNAP office to determine eligibility and calculate a SNAP benefit.
- SNAP applicants receiving an expedited benefit and being processed for ongoing SNAP benefits do not need to be interviewed if they submitted all mandatory verification (see list of mandatory verification above) prior to receiving the ongoing SNAP benefits.
Extension on Recertifications
NYS is allowing SNAP offices to again extend recertifications in order to help re-distribute and balance the SNAP recertification workload over the next federal fiscal year and to promote timely approval of benefits for eligible households. Important details include:
- SNAP offices are not required to extend certification periods for SNAP households.
- SNAP offices may choose to extend recertifications for up to six months for SNAP households that have not already received a six-month extension previously (March 2020 – June 2020 and July 2020 in NYC only).
- SNAP offices that want to extend certification periods must submit a plan to OTDA and the goal of the plan must be to balance the recertification workload for the period of October 2020 through September 2021.
9/29/20 Update:
On September 24, OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
Treatment of the New Supplement Lost Wages Payments for SNAP
Supplemental Lost Wages (SLW) payments are being issued by the NYS Department of Labor and provide an additional $300 in federally funded dollars each week to the Unemployment Insurance Benefit (UBI) of eligible workers.
- SLW payments must NOT be counted as income or as a resource in determining eligibility or calculating a benefit amount for SNAP.
- If a SNAP recipient receives the SLW retroactively, the retroactive benefits are also not counted as income.
- The SLW payments are funded differently than the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments of $600. This is why the SLW payments are treated differently under SNAP rules.
On August 14, OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social services districts. Highlights include:
Statewide Waiver of the Able Bodied Without Dependents Time Limits
Beginning October 1, 2020, SNAP offices throughout NYS are not to impose the ABAWD three-month time limit rule.
In August 2020, OTDA provided SNAP offices with an update on the suspension of the ABAWD rule in NYS. Due to NYS’ eligibility for extended unemployment benefits, FNS has approved OTDA’s request to waive the ABAWD time limit rule in all areas of the state from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, or until the date when FNS puts the new rule on ABAWD waiver standards into effect, whichever occurs first.
- This is in addition to the current temporary and partial nationwide suspension of ABAWD time limit rules in all states.
- The original suspension of the ABAWD time limit rule in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act started on April 1, 2020 and continues for a month after the current public health emergency declaration due to COVID-19 is lifted.
- See our 3/30/20 post below for more information.
SNAP recipients who are newly determined to fall under the ABAWD time limit rule will be sent a notice about this determination. These letters are not a notice of a requirement to work or take any action. They merely let the SNAP recipient know that they fall under the criteria for the ABAWD time limit rules which are currently suspended.
9/14/20 Update:
On September 10th the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) released a fraud alert warning of scams targeting SNAP recipients. Highlights include:
- USDA has received reports of several possible SNAP Fraud attempts including attempts in NYC.
- Be aware of a scam using texting to obtain your personal information. The text might say you were chosen to receive food stamps or SNAP. If you do not know if a request for information about SNAP is real or not, contact your local SNAP office.
- Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or SNAP electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number.
- If you think the text is a scam, do not reply at all. Just delete.
- If SNAP participants are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, USDA advises they contact their local SNAP office. To find your local SNAP/HRA office call:
- Outside New York City, dial 800-342-3009
- In New York City, dial 311.
- To stay on top of potential scams, please visit:
7/6/20 Update:
On July 2, NYS OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
Six-month Extension on July Recertifications in NYC
- USDA approved OTDA’s request for a six-month extension of the recertification period for NYC clients whose SNAP cases will expire at the end of July 2020.
- NYC SNAP recipients who were to recertify for SNAP or TA/MA and SNAP in July will be given a six-month extension of SNAP benefits.
- NYC SNAP participants who recertified for July and had their recertification processed by the SNAP office will not be eligible for the six-month extension.
- The six-month extension for the July recertifications will allow NYC SNAP offices until January 31, 2021 to recertify any case that was originally scheduled to be recertified by July 31, 2020.
- SNAP recipients will NOT be sent a notice on this extension of benefits or the new deadlines for recertification.
- NYC SNAP offices must post flyers in English and Spanish regarding the extension of the July recertifications periods.
- The flyers provide information on the new recertification dates and remind SNAP recipients if they do not recertify by the end of the six-month extension their SNAP benefits will end.
- There will be no further extensions of SNAP certification periods in NYC.
NYC HRA issued specific information for people needing SNAP benefit information in New York City.
- Previously, SNAP recipients who were to recertify for SNAP or TA/MA and SNAP in March, April, May or June were given a six-month extension of SNAP benefits in NYC and most upstate counties. See full details of the extensions in our 5/8/20 update below.
7/2/20 Update:
On June 30, NYS OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
July Recertifications Will Resume in All Upstate Counties
- USDA denied OTDA’s request for a statewide six-month extension of the recertification period in July for all SNAP recipients.
- SNAP offices, except for those in NYC, must recertify all SNAP cases that have a certification period ending in July 2020.
- SNAP recipients who are to recertify for SNAP or TA/MA and SNAP in July must recertify according to normal recertification requirements in order to continue to receive SNAP benefits.
- Previously, SNAP recipients who were to recertify for SNAP or TA/MA and SNAP in March, April, May or June were given a six-month extension of SNAP benefits in NYC and most upstate counties. See full details of the extensions in our 5/8/20 update below.
5/20/20 Update:
On May 14 OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts.
COVID-19 SNAP Employment Requirements
SNAP offices:
- are reminded that these rules will remain in effect during this public health crisis and until otherwise instructed by OTDA.
- must not take negative actions against SNAP applicants/recipients for not complying with work requirements that involve in-person contact.
- should not give SNAP applicants/recipients new work assignments that cannot be completed at home.
- must continue to suspend all required in-person work activity assignments.
- should grant good cause exceptions to SNAP applicants/recipients that do not meet in-person work requirements or activities.
Employment Assessments and Employment Plan
- SNAP offices should do employment assessments and employment plans by telephone.
- Completed or updated employment plans, discussed by phone, should be mailed to the SNAP applicant/recipient.
Orientation
- SNAP offices may conduct employment orientations by phone, online or by providing written materials by mail.
Distance Learning
- SNAP offices should encourage individuals currently enrolled in educational activities to participate in these activities through online and distance learning options where available and accessible to the participant.
Job Search/Job Readiness Training
- SNAP offices should postpone any mandatory work assignments until further notice.
5/8/20 Update:
On May 4th, NYS OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
Six-month Extension on Recertifications
- SNAP recipients who were to recertify for SNAP or TA/MA/SNAP in March, April, May, or June will be given a six-month extension of SNAP benefits in NYC and most upstate counties*.
- SNAP participants who recertified in March, April, May, or June and had their recertification processed by the SNAP office will not be eligible for the six-month extension.
- SNAP recipients will NOT be sent a notice on this extension of benefits or the new deadlines for recertification.
- SNAP offices must post these flyers in English and Spanish.
- The flyers provide information on the new recertification dates and remind SNAP recipients if they do not recertify by the end of the six-month extension their SNAP benefits will end.
NYC HRA issued specific information for people needing SNAP benefit information in New York City.
*The following upstate counties will NOT extend recerts for an additional three-months: Monroe, Warren and Wyoming.
- In these counties’ recertification for March, April and May were extended for 3 months. SNAP offices in these counties must continue to post these flyers in English and Spanish.
- The flyers provide information on the new recertification dates and remind SNAP recipients if they do not recertify by the end of the three-month extension their SNAP benefits will end.
4/8/20 Update:
On April 6, OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
SNAP Treatment of COVID-19 Stimulus “Recovery Rebates”
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes direct payments for low- and middle-income families of $1,200 for most adults ($2,400 for a married couple) and $500 for children under age 17.
Treatment as Income:
- The one-time “Recovery Rebate” payments are not counted as income for SNAP. The payment is excluded as a non-recurring, lump sum payment, and does not count as income under SNAP rules.
Treatment as a Resources:
Most SNAP Households in NYS do not have a resource test for SNAP due to Categorical Eligibility (Cat-El). The information below applies to households who are NOT categorically eligible for SNAP.
- For households currently receiving SNAP: payments are excluded as a resource for 12 months from the date the payment is received. Any remaining balance after a year would be counted as a resource.
- For new SNAP applicants: payments are excluded as a resource in the month received, and the month after. Any remaining balance would be counted as a resource in the following months.
3/30/20 Update:
On March 30 OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
- SNAP offices in all counties are not to impose the ABAWD 3-month time limit rule starting on April 1, 2020 and until otherwise instructed by OTDA.
- SNAP recipients subject to the ABAWD time limit rule who:
- Would have become ineligible in March due to using up their 3-months of SNAP benefits without complying with the ABAWD work requirements can continue to receive SNAP benefits through the temporary suspension of the ABAWD time limit rules.
- Were previously determined ineligible due to not complying with the ABAWD work requirements can now reapply for SNAP benefits during the suspension of the ABAWD rules.
3/26/20 Update:
On March 24th, NYS OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to local social service districts. Highlights include:
- SNAP offices provide essential services and are exempt from the in-person work restrictions put in place in NYS and regardless of county-wide mandates to close county government offices.
3/19/20 Update:
On March 16th, OTDA issued a notice on COVID-19 to social service districts. Highlights include:
- SNAP benefits can be used for online grocery purchases. Current participating retailers include Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. Amazon is available statewide; Walmart and ShopRite participate in specific zip codes. Walmart, depending on specific locations, offers delivery, pick-up or both. Clients can enter zip code on the Walmart or ShopRite websites to find availability.
- For the duration of the COVID-19 public health crisis, at their discretion, SNAP offices can elect to raise the claims collection threshold to $500 on active SNAP cases.