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 October 19:
- Public school children in the New York City area who had their in-person attendance reduced during April, May or June 2021 due to the pandemic will be issued their second round of benefits by the end of October.
- Eligible public and charter school students in the rest of the state—all areas outside the five boroughs—will receive a single payment of benefits for the entire 2020-21 school year by the end of October.
- Eligible children attending charter schools in New York City will receive a single payment of benefits for the entire 2020-21 school year by the end of October.
- Private schools throughout the state will receive a single payment of benefits for the entire 2020-21 school year beginning in November.
There is a NYS School List to check the P-EBT distribution status for individual schools. The timeframe for when these food benefits are issued is based on a variety of factors, including the volume and nature of the data submitted by schools and the rate this information can be processed and benefits issued. Please keep in mind the dates provided here are to give a rough idea when benefits for your area will begin to be distributed.
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.