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SNAP Benefits
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.
All Cash Assistance and SNAP applicants that have been approved for benefits will receive an EBT card in the mail. If your EBT card has not yet arrived, you can go to the Brooklyn OTC site for your permanent card, or one of seven open center locations for a temporary card that will have all benefits available until the EBT card arrives. Please see the list of locations here.
How to Apply
- You can apply online on ACCESS HRA. Read the user guide for ACCESS HRA.
- You can call our Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have an application mailed to you
- You can pick up an application at one of our SNAP centers
- SNAP Applicants can fax an application to MARU at 917-639-1111.
- You can also print out an application and drop off at a SNAP center:
SNAP Benefits Application (LDSS-4826): How to Complete the SNAP Benefit Application (LDSS-4826A):
Eligibility Factors
Here is a list of documents you may need to determine your eligibility for SNAP (W-129G):
- View in Large Print:
- View Screen Reader version:
- Listen to Audio version:
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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an interview may not be required at this time. If we need additional information, HRA will contact you. If we have everything we need we will make a decision on your case and send you a notice.Please remember to submit as many documents as you can using the ACCESS HRA Mobile app. You can look at the documents page on Access HRA to see the kinds of documents HRA may need. You do not need to recertify for SNAP at this time. Recertifications are postponed -- you will receive a letter letting you know when it is time to recertify.
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some SNAP Frequently Asked Questions.
Recertification
Instructions for recertifying for SNAP via phone (BRC-901E):
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):
- View Large Print version:
- View Screen Reader version:
- Listen to Audio version:
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.