All SNAP Recipients In New York Will Receive Maximum Food Benefits

Emergency Allotment has Brought More than $2.7 Billion in Food Assistance

The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for August. The agency is also working with the federal government to ensure these supplemental benefits continue to reach households in need through September and beyond.

"The struggles many New Yorkers experience daily were laid bare and exacerbated by the global health crisis," Commissioner Mike Hein said. "These additional food benefits offer critical support for the many individuals and families that grapple with food insecurity throughout our state."

SNAP households already receiving the maximum monthly benefit, and those that had been receiving an emergency allotment of less than $95 per month, will receive a minimum supplement of $95. Nearly 1.6 million households in New York State will receive the supplemental benefits later this month, which will result in the state receiving roughly $200 million in federal assistance.

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these benefits post starting Aug. 10. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post between Aug. 16 and the end of the month.

While New York’s emergency declaration expired in June, OTDA obtained approval from the federal government to extend the emergency allotments based on the continued public need due to COVID-19. As a result, New Yorkers will continue to receive the maximum SNAP benefit for as long as the federal emergency declaration continues in 2021.

As during prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer account and can be accessed with their existing EBT card. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will be automatically carried over to the following month.

Struggling New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. As of June 2021, there were more than 2.8 million SNAP recipients throughout the state, a 1.9 percent increase from June 2020.

For more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit SNAP's website. New Yorkers can also check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online.