NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for January.
All households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including those already at the maximum benefit level, will receive a supplemental allocation this month, resulting in an infusion of approximately $234 million in federal funds into the state’s economy from New York.
“These temporary extra food benefits have helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers avoid food insecurity at a time when many are struggling with shrinking household budgets,” said Governor Hochul. “This assistance has aided New York’s recovery from the pandemic by helping families and individuals put healthy, nutritious food on the table, providing much-needed relief to New Yorkers.”
The emergency assistance supplement will be provided to all households receiving benefits from SNAP, a federally funded program overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
All households, including those already receiving the maximum benefit for household size and households that previously would have received a monthly supplement of less than $95, will receive a supplement of at least $95.
OTDA began issuing emergency supplemental benefits in April 2020 for those SNAP households receiving less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York State’s emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency continued to work with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households until the expiration of the federal public health emergency declaration, which was extended through January and will allow OTDA to continue issuing these benefits through February.
Starting in March, SNAP recipients will receive only their regular monthly benefit going forward. For more information, click here.
New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP, with more than 1.6 million households, including more than 2.8 million New Yorkers, statewide enrolled in the program as of November, according to Hochul’s office.
“Governor Hochul’s announcement of additional food assistance for households participating in SNAP is a victory for working families and strengthens our efforts to support those who need it most in all our communities and across the state,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat. “Providing this much-needed relief will help ensure that 2.8 million New Yorkers can make ends meet and have the support they need and deserve.”
As in previous months, payments will be sent directly to recipients’ existing EBT accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, supplemental benefits can be used to buy food at licensed retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically roll over to the next month.
New Yorkers interested in enrolling can check their eligibility under pressure, as well as apply online, by clicking here.