Overview

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors.

Benefits

SNAP benefits can help you put healthy food on the table. SNAP monthly benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.

SNAP benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a bank debit card or credit card. If you are eligible, an EBT account is set up for you, and every month your benefits will be deposited right into your account.

* These figures are based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2024.

Note: A SNAP budget must be calculated for your household in order to determine SNAP eligibility and benefit amount.

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 SNAP benefits.

• If your household's gross income is below these amounts, it does not ensure that you will be eligible for a benefit.
• A SNAP 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 SNAP benefits is to apply.

Gross income means a household's total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made such as taxes or other withholdings. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions.

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2024.

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2024.

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2024.

What if I have savings?

Most households applying for SNAP no longer have to pass a savings/resource test in order to get SNAP benefits. This means that the household's assets (stocks, savings and retirement accounts, etc.) are not considered when determining eligibility.

What if I am a college student?

To participate in SNAP, a student, in college at least half time, must meet the income eligibility for SNAP and one of the following criteria:

• Be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and be paid for such employment or, if self-employed, be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and receive weekly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.
• Participate in a State or Federally financed work study program during the regular school year.
• Provide more than half the physical care for one or more dependent household members under the age of six or provide more than half the physical care of dependent household member who has reached the age of six but is under the age of 12 where adequate child care is not available.
• Enrolled full-time in an institution of higher education and is a single parent with responsibility for the care of a dependent child under age 12.
• Receive benefits from Family Assistance (FA) or federally-funded Safety Net Assistance (SNA).
• Receive Unemployment Benefits (UIB).
• Attend a SUNY or CUNY comprehensive college, technology college, or community college and are enrolled in a qualified career and technical education program.
• Attend any of the 10 Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) in New York State and are enrolled in a career and technical education program, remedial course, basic adult education, literacy, or English as a second language.

Recertification

If you already get SNAP benefits in New York State, you can recertify (renew your benefits) without coming into the social services office. Approximately two months prior to the end of the recertification period, you will receive a recertification packet in the mail that includes a SNAP application and a scheduled interview appointment on page 1.

There are three important steps in the recertification process:

1. You must submit a Recertification application before you can be interviewed on your scheduled interview appointment shown on page one of your recertification packet. You can submit your SNAP Recertification application by mail, from your home by using the internet (www.myBenefits.ny.gov), by fax, or in person at your local department of social services.
2. After you submit your application, you must be interviewed. If you submit your application AFTER the scheduled interview appointment on page one of your recertification packet, then it is YOUR responsibility to reschedule your interview appointment before the end of your recertification period.
3. After your interview, you may be asked to submit additional documents related to your income or circumstances.

Contact

For more information about SNAP, contact your local department of social services or call the toll-free OTDA Hotline: 1-800-342-3009.

To find out the location and phone number of your nearest SNAP office, contact your local department of social services.