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Food Stamps
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the New York State Food Stamp (FS) Program, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used like cash at authorized retail food stores. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income, assets and other factors.
- Food Stamp Benefits - Working hard but still struggling to make ends meet? Food stamp benefits can help you put food on the table. The Food Stamp Program issues monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Food stamp benefits help low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.
- Food Stamp Eligibility - Eligibility is based on income. If your income is less than or equal to the amounts in the charts supplied (based on your family size), you may be eligible for Food Stamps.
- Applying for Food Stamps — Applying for the Food Stamp Program starts with an application.
- Telephone Recertification for Current Food Stamp Recipients - If you already get food stamp benefits in New York State, as long as you do not also get Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, you can recertify (renew your benefits) without coming into the social services office.
- Transitional Food Stamp Benefits - If your temporary assistance cash case closes, in most cases, you can still receive food stamps, even if the reason that your case is closing is because you now have too much income to be eligible.
Food Stamp Benefits
Food stamp benefits can help you put healthy food on the table. The Food Stamp Program issues monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Food stamp benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others feed their families. Benefits are provided through an electronic benefit card, similar to a debit or credit card. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income, expenses and other factors.
The Food Stamp Program has made it easier for many working households to apply and gain access to these critical nutrition supports. If you work hard but still struggle to make ends meet, you may be able to supplement your food budget through the Food Stamp Program.
If you are eligible for food stamps or currently receive food stamps, you may be interested in nutrition education. Go to Eat Smart New York to learn more about how to better feed your family with less money.
For more information about the Federal Administration of the Food Stamp Program, known federally as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), visit: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
It’s Easier to Use Food Stamp Benefits
Food Stamp Benefits are provided through an electronic benefit card, similar to a bank debit card or credit card. This process is called Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). If you are eligible, you will be issued an EBT card, an account will automatically be set up for you, and every month your benefits will automatically be deposited into your account. Your EBT card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) is used to pay for your Food at authorized retail Food stores. For more information go to Electronic Benefits Transfer.
Food Stamp Eligibility
If your income (based on your family size) is less than or equal to the amounts in the charts below, you may be eligible for food stamp benefits. If your household's gross income is below these amounts, it does not ensure that you will be eligible for a benefit. A food stamp budget must be calculated for your household in order to determine eligibility and benefit amount. The only way to determine if your household is eligible for food stamp benefits is to apply.
“Income” means your household’s total gross monthly income before taxes and withholdings are subtracted. Benefits from other assistance programs such as Unemployment Insurance Benefits, public assistance payments, Social Security or SSI benefits count as income. Certain household expenses, such as monthly Child Support payments paid by a member of your household for a child who does not live with you, can be deducted from your household’s gross income.
You Can Now Have Savings and Qualify for Food Stamps
In New York State, the Food Stamp Program now allows you to have more money in a checking or savings account, or even a retirement account or college savings account, without affecting your eligibility for food stamp benefits. Most households applying for food stamp benefits no longer have to pass a savings/resource test in order to get food stamp benefits. This means that the household’s assets (stocks, savings and retirement accounts, etc.) are not considered when determining eligibility. Please note that if you apply for food stamp benefits, you may still be asked to provide information regarding such resources.
| Family Size | Monthly Gross Income* | Annual Gross Income* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 1,180 | $ 14,160 |
| 2 | $ 1,594 | $ 19,128 |
| 3 | $ 2,008 | $ 24,096 |
| 4 | $ 2,422 | $ 29,064 |
| Each additional person | $ 414 + | $ 4,968 + |
*These figures are based upon Food Stamp Standards effective October 1, 2011.
Note: There is no resource test unless someone in the household has been sanctioned or disqualified from the Food Stamp Program. If a household member is sanctioned or disqualified, then the household’s countable resources must not exceed $2000.
| Family Size | Monthly Gross Income* | Annual Gross Income* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 1,815 | $ 21,780 |
| 2 | $ 2,452 | $ 29,424 |
| 3 | $ 3,088 | $ 37,056 |
| 4 | $ 3,725 | $ 44,700 |
| Each additional person | $ 637 + | $ 7,644 + |
*These figures are based upon Food Stamp Standards effective October 1, 2011.
Note: There is no resource test for households with elderly/disabled members whose income falls at or below the amount listed above, unless a member of the household has been sanctioned or disqualified from participation in the Food Stamp Program. Households with elderly/disabled members whose gross income exceeds these amounts may still be eligible for food stamps, if their countable resources do not exceed $3000.
| Household Size | Maximum Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 | $ 200 |
| 2 | $ 367 |
| 3 | $ 526 |
| 4 | $ 668 |
| 5 | $ 793 |
| 6 | $ 952 |
| 7 | $ 1,052 |
| 8 | $ 1,202 |
| For each additional member | $ 150+ |
Note: A food stamp budget must be calculated for your household in order to determine food stamp eligibility and benefit amount.
It’s Easy to Find out if You May be Eligible for Food Stamps
Visit myBenefits.ny.gov and click “Am I eligible?” to check your eligibility for food stamp benefits and other human services program benefits.
Telephone Recertification for Current Food Stamp Recipients
If you already get food stamp benefits in New York State, as long as you do not also get Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, you can recertify (renew your benefits) without coming into the social services office. Recertification with a telephone interview is more convenient because you no longer have to travel to the Food Stamp Office for recertification. You will save valuable time needed for employment or other important matters by not reporting in person to your local department of Social Services for your interview.
For more information on any of these methods of application or recertification, contact your local department of social services office or the toll-free hotline: 1-800-342-3009.
Transitional Food Stamp Benefits
If your temporary assistance cash case closes, in most cases, you can still receive food stamps, even if the reason that your case is closing is because you now have too much income to be eligible. This program helps families who use to get cash benefits make the transition to self-sufficiency. For most families leaving cash assistance, food stamps benefits can be continued — often at a higher amount than before — for five months.
Questions?
For further information about Food Stamps, you may call the Office of Temporary and Disability Services toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3009 and press “1” for Food Stamps or contact your local department of social services.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.