The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the state’s largest nutrition assistance program, helping more than 2.5 million New Yorkers put food on their table each month.
SNAP
How it works
SNAP helps New Yorkers buy food. SNAP provides monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Card (EBT) to spend at local grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Benefits are calculated based on factors such as the number of people living in the home, income, and expenses.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a household must meet income and residency requirements. There are additional requirements for certain populations to receive SNAP.
SNAP Facts in NYS
2,780,700
or 1 in 7 people in NYS relied on SNAP to put food on their tables in 2021.
54
of SNAP participants are families with children. (2019)
2
per person per meal is provided by SNAP benefits in NYS in 2021
We’ve created flyers with SNAP facts and statistics individualized to each New York State Congressional District. Download them to use in your community.
Congressional District Data Sheets
TOOLS FOR YOU TO USE
SNAP Prescreening Guide
An Eligibility Prescreening Guide. Download this invaluable tool for community organizations that work with SNAP consumers.
SNAP Replacement Benefits
Learn about the process for requesting SNAP replacement benefits due to flooding, power outages or other misfortunes.
Oct 1 Budgeting Updates
Each October, SNAP standards and deductions are adjusted. Use these updated tools and resources to estimate SNAP benefit amounts for eligible families.
SNAP and Seniors
Our SNAP & Seniors Professional Network offers information, tools, and resources to help seniors apply for and maintain SNAP benefits.
SNAP SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY RULES
Expanded Eligibility for Students
Recent changes in SNAP policy have expanded SNAP eligibility to thousands of low-income NYS students.
Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (Cat El)
SNAP Cat El allows households who have gross incomes between 130% and 200% of the federal poverty line – but whose costs for other basics like shelter, utilities, and child care, render their net incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty line – to qualify for a SNAP benefit.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)
Childless adults aged 18 to 49, referred to in SNAP regulations as ABAWD, are normally subject to a time limit. SNAP offices in NYS are not to impose the ABAWD three-month time limit rule through September 30, 2023.
SNAP & Immigrants
View SNAP policies, information, and issues related to immigrants:
SNAP POLICY AND FEDERAL RULE CHANGES
SNAP Scam Alerts: EBT Card Skimming and Phishing Scams Impacting SNAP Recipients in NYS
The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) and our state SNAP agency in New York (OTDA) have provided information on reports of SNAP fraud, in which…
Read More White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
Share Your Ideas and Stories to Inform a National Strategy to End Hunger This September, the White House will convene a conference focused on ending hunger in America, more than…
Read More Shop Online Using SNAP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved online purchasing with SNAP benefits at select retailers in New York State (click to view list). SNAP participants can select and purchase eligible…
Read More Revised Thrifty Food Plan Helps Millions of SNAP Participants Afford a Healthy, Nutritious Diet
Background The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it has updated the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which is used to set SNAP benefit levels. This science-driven and long-overdue…
Read More We can help
We can provide you with information on SNAP policies, along with tools and resources to help you improve access to SNAP for those you serve. We also provide:
- Statewide and localized data on SNAP participation and food insecurity
- Information and materials to help your education or advocacy efforts
- Opportunities to partner with our NOEP program to expand local SNAP outreach.
Contact Dawn Secor, SNAP Policy Specialist, for assistance.
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