End of SNAP EA
SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) will end in February 2023.
The omnibus bill passed by Congress in December 2022 requires that all states end SNAP EA distributions in February 2023. As a result, all SNAP recipients in NYS will receive their regular SNAP benefit amount in March 2023, without the added allotment.
Background
Emergency Allotments (EA) of SNAP benefits were authorized by Congress under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. SNAP EA amounts range based on a household’s regular monthly SNAP benefit:
- For households already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit, the EA is $95.
- For all other households, the EA amount equals the difference between their regular monthly SNAP benefit and the maximum SNAP benefit for their household’s size. All households receive a minimum of $95, even if the difference is less than $95.
Implications
The end of EA means that every SNAP household will see a decrease of at least $95 in monthly SNAP benefits. However, many households will see a larger decrease. For example, if a household of 4 has a regular SNAP benefit of $650, their monthly EA is $289 (the difference between their regular benefit and the maximum SNAP benefit amount). They would have a $289 decrease in monthly benefits.
View a chart of Maximum SNAP Benefits by Household Size
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts (Thrifty Food Plan)
| Household Size | Maximum Benefit |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Person | +$211 |
Checking a Household’s EA Amount
Since April 2021, every SNAP recipient in NYS has received two SNAP deposits each month. The first deposit, generally in the first two weeks of the month, is the household’s regular SNAP benefit. The second deposit is the household’s EA. To determine a household’s EA amount (the amount that will be lost), households can view their benefit deposit history on ConnectEBT. (new users will need to register—have your EBT card handy). Once logged in:
- Select a transaction history date range (top left) that includes both a regular SNAP benefit deposit and an EA deposit, like Jan 1, 2023 – Jan 31, 2023
- Look at the date under “Settlement”. The first deposit of the month is the regular SNAP benefit. The second deposit is the EA amount. In the example below, the deposit dated 1/2/2023 for $740 is the regular SNAP benefit. The deposit dated 1/18/2023 for $95 is the EA. (Note that any purchases made during the selected time period will also show up in the transaction list.
Households can also check their deposit history on Providers (Fresh EBT). The second deposit of the month is the EA.
Next Steps
SNAP EA will end in Feb 2023, and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and local social services districts do not have control over this change.
Do a Benefit Checkup
Because many SNAP households have received the maximum monthly benefit since April 2020, some may not have reviewed their SNAP budget recently. Households can review their deductions for changes since their last recertification, which may result in an increased SNAP benefit:
- loss of income
- increased housing costs (rent, mortgage),
- increased child care costs,
- increase in child support paid out, or
- medical expenses above $35/month for seniors/disabled.
To report any of these changes, call the local SNAP office or submit a change report online through myBenefits or ACCESS HRA.
Our SNAP Benefits Estimator tool helps households estimate their monthly SNAP benefit.
OTDA Communications to SNAP Households
OTDA will implement a targeted messaging campaign, including:
- A SNAP EA Frequently Asked Questions page with information and links to a flyer and social media graphic.
- A letter, titled “SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending,” mailed to all SNAP households beginning in February informing them that February is the last month they are eligible to receive a SNAP EA.
- The letter is generic and not personalized with individual budgets.
- Households will receive the letter in both English and Spanish, along with an insert that directs them to their local SNAP office for additional languages (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Urdu).
- The letter talks about reporting changes that maximize SNAP benefits.
- Three text blasts to SNAP households to increase awareness about the end of EA benefits. Messages will be sent from 1-877-902-0684 with the following language:
- January Message: NY OTDA: SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) end in February. Learn more: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
- February Message: NY OTDA: This is the last month for SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA). Learn more: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
- March message: NY OTDA: SNAP EA benefits have ended. Only regular SNAP will be issued in March: otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP
SNAP offices and CBO’s that receive inquiries about these text messages can confirm that they are legitimate and not spam or a scam. OTDA will never ask for a SNAP card number of pin number.
Call center operators will only be able to confirm the same information provided in the above messages and the OTDA EA FAQ page.
Resources
NYSOTDA
- FAQ on the end of EA in February including a flyer, social media and more for both CBOs and SNAP recipients
- GIS 23 TA/DC0011 COVID-19 Allotments to SNAP Households End February 2023 including notice.
Hunger Solutions New York
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)
