by Joshua Boardman, Basic Needs Coordinator

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Many people throughout the United States depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in order to buy food for themselves or their families. The following provides a general overview of the program, how to apply, and eligibility requirements.

Overview of Program: (usda.gov)

SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. These benefits cover household food items such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Snack foods
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

How to apply: (ny.gov)

Due to COVID-19 closures of state offices, applicants are asked to begin applications at the state SNAP website. Applicants must create a New York MyBenefit account and submit required documentation. Applicants must have the following information ready to submit:

• Recent pay stubs
• List of household resources
• Current rent/mortgage statement
• Current property tax bill
• Current homeowner’s insurance bill
• Social Security card

NY State SNAP Website: https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-snap

The online application will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

Apply at: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin

Local office information can be found on local county websites.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for SNAP benefits, applicants must meet income and work requirements. To see if you qualify, visit www.ny.gov/services/apply-snap and navigate to the ‘eligibility’ tab on the left side of the screen.

Note: The best way to determine eligibility is to apply for SNAP benefits. A specialist will review your information to determine if you qualify for benefits. Even if you do not qualify for full benefits, you may be eligible for some benefits.

For More Information:

Contact NY SNAP by phone:1-800-342-3009

Contact NY SNAP by email: nyspio@otda.ny.gov

Have a question about basic needs not described in this month’s edition? Email the basic needs team at BasicNeeds@esc.edu