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SNAP Benefits

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SNAP Benefits

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, many HRA locations are consolidating until further notice. If your needs cannot be met by ACCESS HRA, call 311 or consult the HRA Locations page for more information.

All in-person HRA appointments have been cancelled. No negative actions will be taken on your case. See everything you can do online on ACCESS HRA

Recertifications for SNAP and Cash Assistance are POSTPONED due to COVID-19. If you have a recertification currently scheduled or one that is coming due, you DO NOT need to recertify and your benefits will continue. You will get a letter at a later date telling you when to recertify.

Please be aware that unscrupulous individuals may use COVID-19 as an opportunity to create a scam in order to steal your personal information. Learn more about this Potential Fraud Scam Alert.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as "food stamps") provides food assistance for nearly 1.8 million low-income New Yorkers including families, people who are aging and people with disabilities. The program helps families and individuals supplement the cost of their diet with nutritious foods.

How to Apply

Eligibility Factors

Here is a list of documents you may need to determine your eligibility for SNAP (W-129G):

Returning Documents

Need to return documents for your application? Here's a list of community partners who can help:

You can can also submit documents using the ACCESS HRA app.

SNAP On-Demand

Beginning March 1, 2018, NEW SNAP clients no longer have to wait for DSS/HRA to call them at a scheduled time to complete their interview. After they submit their application, clients can now call DSS/HRA at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, for an "on-demand" interview, which will reduce the uncertainty of applying for SNAP and give clients more flexibility. On-demand interviews are now available for all SNAP clients citywide.

Shop for Groceries Online with your SNAP Benefits

Did you know that you can now use your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to shop online for fresh produce and groceries?

Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some SNAP Frequently Asked Questions.

Recertification

Instructions for recertifying for SNAP via phone (BRC-901D):

Recertifying for SNAP via IVRS (BRC-901C):

FoodHelp NYC Locator 

Visit our Food Assistance map for locations of food pantries and community kitchens in the five boroughs.

Forms and Brochures

Need a Client Consent Form for DSS Case Inquiries?

SNAP Need to Know Brochure (BRC-100):

Emergency Food Assistance

For information about emergency food program locations and hours of operation please call the Emergency FoodLine at 866-888-8777. This is an automated hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Check out our FoodHelp NYC Locator for a map of food assistance locations.

Want to work with HRA to provide food assistance? Find information on becoming a food provider.

Expedited Benefits

You may be able to get Expedited Processing if:

  • Your household has less than $100 in cash or other available resources and will have less than $150 overall during the month that you apply, or
  • Your combined income and available resources in the month of application are less than the sum of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities and phone, or
  • At least one person in the household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker and his/her cash and bank accounts are not more than $100.

For more information call HRA's Infoline at 718-557-1399.

Health Bucks

Health Bucks is a seasonal program that allows SNAP recipients to earn $2 coupons for every $5 spent on their EBT cards at farmer's markets. Learn more about the program, which is run jointly with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Click here to read the SNAP Nondiscrimination Statement.