| SNAP is a federally funded program whose purpose is to reduce hunger and malnutrition among the members of low-income households. Whether or not you are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits is based on your household size, income, assets, and several other factors. These factors are used to figure out how much in benefits, if any, you will receive.
The goal of the program is to provide a higher level of nutrition to income eligible individuals and families by helping them buy healthy food. For more about the SNAP program, including stores and farmer's markets where you can use your benefits, click on the following link: SNAP Retailers
You will be notified of your eligibility determination within 30 days of filing your application.
How to Use Your Benefit Card to Get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Cash Benefits
Learn More About SNAP...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ: Updated SNAP Standards Effective 10/01/2022
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits is based on a number of factors established by the federal government. These include both earned and unearned income, resources like bank accounts, investments, cash, and in certain circumstances, cars and properties that are available to the household. However, some types of income and some types of resources are not counted when determining eligibility. The only way to really know if you are eligible is to file an application.
Regulations require certain household members to apply together. That includes spouses who live together, children under 22 living with their parent(s) and minors less than 18 living with an adult who provides parental control. Also, non-related members of a household who buy and prepare the majority of their meals together must all apply together.
If your household has little or no money and needs help right away, you may qualify for “expedited” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. If you do, you will receive your initial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefit within five days. However, you will still have to complete the regular eligibility process and supply all the required documentation at a later date.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SNAP APPLICANTS AND RECIPIENTS:
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Senior Farmers Market
Nutrition Program:
If you
are a senior who lives in New York State, aged 60 years or older, and
low-income, you may be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Nutrition
Program (SFMNP) checks. Eligible seniors receive a booklet with $4.00 Senior
FMNP checks that can only be used to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed
vegetables and fruits at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Seniors
must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information about
where to receive Senior FMNP checks. The program starts July 1 and checks are
distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
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If you
reside:
- Upstate or Outside NYC, contact your County
Office for the Aging
- General Assistance:
(800) 342-9871
Online www.aging.ny.gov/NYSOFA/LocalOffices.cfm
To be eligible you must
be 60 years of age or older, and meet income guidelines (which change annually.)
One coupon booklet per year per household is allowed.
What to Expect:
If you do qualify, you will receive your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office got your application. Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits will be issued electronically at a participating grocery store. (EBT Page)
Resource Limits:
Effective 1/1/2008 there is NO resource limit for individuals below 200% poverty unless a member of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance household is sanctioned or disqualified.
FRAUD ALERT: USDA Warns of Text
Message Scam Targeting SNAP Recipients |
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2020 – USDA issued the following notice today to protect SNAP participants, after receiving reports of several possible SNAP Fraud attempts:
Be aware of a scam using texting to obtain your personal information. The text might say you were chosen to receive food stamps or SNAP. If you do not know if a request for information about SNAP is real or not, contact your local SNAP office.
Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or SNAP electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number.
If you think the text is a scam, do not reply at all. Just delete.
If SNAP participants are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, USDA advises they contact their local SNAP office. If they do not know their local SNAP office, participants should contact their state agency. State contact information is available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.
To stay on top of potential scams, please visit USDA’s SNAP scam alert webpage at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/scam-alerts.
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, contact your local police department regarding procedures for filing a report. You may also file a consumer complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.ftc.gov. FTC is the federal agency responsible for protecting consumers from identity theft scams.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.
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**WEBSITES TO HELP WITH NUTRITION AND SAVING MONEY**
FRESHEBT Is a free app that you can download to your phone that helps you budget your SNAP dollars. It's a great tool that we reccommend you use!.
freshebt.com
USDA One of the very best websites out there to help your family eat better for less,is choosemyplate.gov
For additional information on the NYS Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), call or visit the web at:
Kids eat free! Find a Summer food service program:
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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.
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