OTDA Home Programs & Services SNAP SNAP COVID-19 Information
Important Update for P-EBT Food Benefits Covering the 2020-21 School Year
New York State continues to distribute Pandemic EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act. Here are important updates to the distribution as of November 12:
- Nearly all children in public school throughout the state and children attending charter schools outside of NYC, who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020-21 school year due to the pandemic have been issued their P-EBT food benefits.
- OTDA is working to distribute P-EBT food benefits to eligible children who attended New York City charter schools and to students through the state attending private schools during the 2020-21 academic year.
Please note: Due to card production issues, some children who were recently issued P-EBT benefits may experience delays in receiving their P-EBT Food Benefit card. OTDA is working to resolve this issue and will provide more information on this website as it becomes available.
SNAP COVID-19 Information
Information on Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits and Supplemental Emergency Allotment (EA) of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits for eligible households.
- Frequently Asked Questions for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Food Benefits
Answers to many commonly asked questions about the P-EBT food benefits for New York State residents.
- Group 1/Children Receiving SNAP or Temporary Assistance (Cash)
- Group 2/Children Enrolled in Medicaid
- Group 3/All Other Eligible Children
- Frequently Asked Questions for the Emergency Allotment of SNAP Benefits
Answers to many commonly asked questions about the Supplemental Emergency Allotment of SNAP Benefits.
- College Student Expanded SNAP Rules
Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which temporarily expands SNAP eligibility for students of higher education.
- Notice to All Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will automatically issue an Emergency supplemental SNAP benefit to households not already receiving the maximum benefit.