Food coupons: the intricacies of Food Stamp Benefits in New York

Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), New York issues monthly electronic coupons that can be used like cash at authorized retail grocery stores. This is all part of the federal food stamp program (SNAP). How to get coupons and who has the opportunity to do so is stated on the website Benefits.

SNAP helps low-income workers, seniors, people with disabilities and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels depend on family size, income, and other factors.

SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits can help you get healthy foods. Monthly SNAP benefits can be used to buy food from authorized retail grocery stores, writes OTDA.

SNAP benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which is similar to a bank debit or credit card. If you meet the eligibility criteria, an EBT account is created for you and each month your benefits will be credited directly to your account.

What can be purchased using SNAP, writes ny.gov:

• bread and cereals;
• fruits and vegetables;
• meat, fish and poultry;
• dairy;
• you can also purchase seeds and plants for preparing various meals.

What you can't buy:

• beer, wine, spirits, cigarettes or tobacco;
• any non-food items such as: pet food, soap, paper products, household items, vitamins and medicines, food to be eaten in the store and hot food.

How much you can get per month depending on the size of the family:

Who is eligible to participate in the program

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a New York State resident and meet one of the following requirements:

1. You have a checking bank account of less than $ 2001.
2. You have a checking bank account of less than $ 3001 USD and you share your family with one of the following:

• Person or persons aged 60 years or older;
• Disabled person (child, your spouse, parent, or yourself).

If your income (based on your household size) is less than or equal to the amounts shown in the tables below, you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.

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Income recommendations for families with no earned income (no seniors and people with disabilities):

Income recommendations for families with earned income (excluding seniors and people with disabilities):

Income Recommendations for Families with Seniors, Disabilities and Dependents:

If your household income is below these amounts, it does not guarantee that you will be eligible for benefits. The SNAP budget must be calculated for your household to determine eligibility. The only way to determine if your household is eligible for SNAP is to apply.

How to apply to participate in this program

Apply online

If you live in New York State, you can apply for SNAP online by going to MyBenefits New York... After your application is submitted, your local Department of Human Services or SNAP office will review your information, interview, and determine your family's eligibility for SNAP.

Apply by mail, fax or in person

You can apply by mail, fax, or in person at your local social services office or SNAP office. The current SNAP application form can be printed in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean and Russian - by link.

For the location of the SNAP office closest to you, contact your local department of social services - a list of local SNAP offices can be found at link.

If you are already getting SNAP benefits in New York State, you can recertify (renew your benefits) without going to a social services office. Two months before the end of your recertification period, you will receive a package of documents in the mail that includes your SNAP application and scheduled interview.

The recertification process consists of three important steps:

• You must apply for recertification before you go through the interview times listed on the first page of your recertification package. You can apply for SNAP recertification by mail from the comfort of your home online (www.myBenefits.ny.gov), by fax or in person at your local department of social services.
• After you submit your application, you must go through an interview. If you are applying after a scheduled interview on the first page of your recertification package, then you must reschedule the interview date before the end of the recertification period.
• After the interview, you may be asked to provide additional documents regarding your income or life circumstances.

What documents do you need to have with you:

• latest pay stubs;
• a list of family resources;
• current rent bill / mortgage statement;
• real estate tax current account;
• a checking account for homeowner's insurance;
• social security card.

What if I have savings

Most households applying for SNAP no longer need to take a savings / resource test to qualify for SNAP benefits. This means that household assets (inventory, savings and retirement accounts, etc.) do not count towards eligibility.

What if I am a college student

To be eligible for SNAP, a student who is in college for at least half of the school day must meet income criteria to participate in the program and one of the following criteria:

• Work an average of 20 hours a week and be paid for such work or, if the student is a self-employed worker, work an average of 20 hours a week and receive a weekly wage at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.
• Participate in a state-funded workforce training program during the school year.
• Provide more than half of the physical care for one or more dependent household members under the age of six, or provide more than half of the physical care for a dependent household member who is six years of age or older but under 12 years of age if adequate child care is not available.
• She is a full-time student at a higher education institution and is the sole parent responsible for caring for a dependent child under 12 years of age.
• Get Family Assistance (FA) or federally funded Safety Net Assistance (SNA) benefits.
• Receive Unemployment Insurance Benefit (UIB).
• Attend a SUNY or CUNY general education, technology, or community college and participate in a qualified vocational and technical education program.
• Attend any of New York State's 10 Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs) and participate in vocational and technical education programs, remedial courses, adult basic education, literacy, or English as a second language.

Can I get SNAP right away or within days of my application?

If you have little or no money and need help right away, you can qualify for "fast track" SNAP. If you do, you must receive your initial SNAP benefits within five days. You will still need to complete the eligibility process and provide all required documentation later.

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What if I don't know what kind of help I need

Check your eligibility for a range of other benefits by answering a few simple questions on the page mybenefits.ny.gov.

What if I no longer need SNAP and want to close my account

If you want to close your SNAP account, you must contact your local department of social services. Please note that you cannot request the closure of your case online at this time.

What should I do if my financial situation changes

Changes in family circumstances that occur during the SNAP certification period may need to be reported depending on the reporting rules that apply to your family. Please refer to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Change Report Form for information about the change reporting policy that applies to your household, or contact your local Department of Human Services if you have further questions.

Program contacts

Many frequently asked questions about SNAP can be found on the SNAP Program website - by link.

For any other information regarding Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, people should call the USDA SNAP hotline at 1-800-221-5689.