SNAP Benefits

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SNAP Benefits

SNAP Benefits and COVID-19

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

Important Notice – No Mandatory Dispute Resolution Appointment

If you are Cash Assistance recipient, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) may have sent you a notice for a Mandatory Dispute Resolution (MDR) appointment.

The notice was sent to you in error. Please disregard the notice.

The appointment that was scheduled for you has been cancelled. You DO NOT have to appear for that appointment. No negative action is being taken as a result of the notice. You may still receive other notices about the Fair Hearing you requested. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. If you have any questions, please call (718) 557-1399.

Important Information about Recertifications


  • CA 6-month mailer and SNAP periodic report: There will be no negative actions taken for failing to return the SNAP periodic reports and Cash Assistance mailers due between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. 

Returning or Submitting Documents

Need to return or submit documents? You can submit documents in the following ways:

  • Upload them using the ACCESS HRA mobile app. Go to nyc.gov/accesshramobile
  • Fax them to 917-639-2544.
  • Mail them to:
    Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
    PO Box 29008
    Brooklyn, NY 11202
  • Bring them to an open HRA Location.

Documentation Guide

This guide gives examples of documents you can use to give proof of information we need to decide on help for you. This guide doesn't mention every type of document. Other documents may be used, even if not on the list.

Download the guide in:

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.

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 also submit documents using the ACCESS HRA app.

SNAP On-Demand

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.

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

Expanded SNAP eligibility for college students during the COVID-19 emergency

During the COVID-19 emergency, there are new rules for the SNAP program which will allow more college students to get benefits.  

  • If you are a student eligible to participate in a state or federal work-study program, you may now also be eligible for SNAP, even if you aren’t currently employed in work-study.   
  • If your “expected family contribution” (EFC*) is $0, and you meet other SNAP eligibility requirements, you are eligible for SNAP. 

*Your EFC is found in your Student Aid Report and it is calculated based on information provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

These new SNAP eligibility rules will last until one month after the public health emergency from COVID-19 is officially lifted. If you are able to get benefits thanks to these new rules, your benefits will last until your next recertification even if the public health emergency is ended first. 

SUNY/CUNY/EOC Verification

SUNY/CUNY/EOC Student Verification of Enrollment (LDSS-5172):

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some SNAP Frequently Asked Questions.

Recertification

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

View in:

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

View in:

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.

Read the SNAP Nondiscrimination Statement