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
2,700,000
or 1 in 7 people in NYS relied on SNAP to put food on their tables in 2019.
58
of SNAP participants are families with children. (2018)
1
per person per meal is provided by SNAP benefits in NYS in 2019
9
For every meal provided by Feeding America food banks, SNAP provides 9.
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 – October 2020 edition. 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. Includes info on the revised Thrifty Food Plan.
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 between the ages of 18 and 49 are referred to in SNAP regulations as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) and are normally subject to a time limit. SNAP offices throughout NYS are not to impose the ABAWD three-month time limit rule through September 30, 2022.
SNAP POLICY AND FEDERAL RULE CHANGES
Urge Congress to Maintain Critical Child Nutrition Provisions in the Build Back Better Act
Through the Build Back Better Act, Congress has a historic opportunity to invest nearly $35 billion in Child Nutrition Programs to significantly expand access to healthy school meals and ensure…
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USDA Withdraws Proposed Rule on Categorical Eligibility in SNAP
USDA has announced that it is formally withdrawing a proposed rule that greatly limits the SNAP Categorical Eligibility (Cat El) option. Cat El allows states to get SNAP to more…
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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