NEW YORK — Good news for New Yorkers receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP), just before Christmas.
That’s because during the month of December all families that are already near or at the maximum allowable level of food subsidies, which is $939 for a family of four, will receive an additional payment of at least $95, the governor announced Friday. Kathy Hochul.
SNAP families in all counties outside of New York City should see these additional benefits posted by Thursday, December 22. SNAP families in New York City should see benefits posted by Wednesday, December 28.
The extra help comes from federal funding of approximately $234 million in the New York State economy. The program is funded by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
“These extra benefits have continued to help struggling New Yorkers keep themselves and their families fed during the pandemic and now in the face of rising food prices due to global inflation,” Governor Hochul said. “The $234 million for SNAP will provide relief to needy New Yorkers during the holiday season and the cold winter months when household budgets are most strained.”
The OTDA began issuing emergency supplemental benefits in April 2020 to SNAP families who receive less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York State’s emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency worked successfully with the federal government to ensure maximum allocation for all SNAP families until the federal public health emergency declaration expired, which has been extended through January and will allow the OTDA to continue issuing these benefits through February.
These extra benefits are also vital for needy New Yorkers, with approximately 14 percent of the state’s population relying on SNAP benefits last year, according to a recent study. More than half of the beneficiary households were families with children and about 48 percent included an adult over the age of 55 or a person with a disability.
As in previous months, payments will be sent directly to beneficiaries’ existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at licensed grocery stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically roll over to the next month.
Find more information about emergency SNAP supplemental benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers interested in enrolling can check if they are eligible for SNAP, as well as apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.
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