How to apply for food stamps in ny

Table of Contents Show

Eligibility Requirements
Filing Out a Paper Application
Online Application
Application Assistance via Phone

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), is geared toward enabling low-income households to purchase the food they need to maintain proper nutritional levels and good health. The Thrifty Food Plan is USDA's estimate of a family's total monthly food expense broken down by household size which is adjusted annually in accordance with the cost of living index.

How do I apply for benefits?

My Benefits Online Application

Through a community partnership, three (3) community based organization are available to assist you in applying for SNAP benefits using the MyBenefits online application.

Schenectady Community Action Program, Inc. (SCAP) - (518) 374-9181
Nutrition Outreach Education Program (NOEP) at Catholic Charities - (518) 374-2427
Schenectady Inner-City Ministries (SICM) - (518) 346-4445

Applicants may apply for SNAP benefits either in person at the Department or at one of three community bases sites. Application for benefits may be made in person at the Schenectady County Department of Social Services, 797 Broadway, Schenectady, New York 12305.

If you are unable to appear for a face-to- face interview, a friend or relative may apply for food stamps on the household's behalf. If the applicant is unable to appoint an "Authorized Representative", arrangements may be made under certain circumstances for a worker to conduct the interview at home or by telephone. SSI recipients may apply by mail or in person at the local Social Security office or the Department of Social Services.

What are the main eligibility factors?

The Program is designed to provide a nutritional supplement for both public assistance and non-public assistance households who meet certain eligibility standards with respect to income, resources, and alien status. Factors such as household size, shelter/utility expense, and monthly income are taken into account in determining specific benefit levels for each household.

Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and live alone may be eligible to automatically receive SNAP Benefits under the New York State Nutrition Improvement Project. Please call the hotline at 1-800-342-3009 for additional information.

How long will it take to determine eligibility? Although an eligibility determination may take up to 30 days from the date of application, if eligible, benefits will be issued retroactively to the date the application was initially filed. In addition, an eligible SNAP household may be entitled to receive benefits on an expedited basis within 5 calendar days of the application date, provided the household's income, and available resources are within established limits during the month of application. Once eligibility is established, recipients are issued a Benefit Identification (ID) card and are asked to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is used to access benefits at any number of local retail sites throughout the county.

How do I maintain my eligibility?

Once initial eligibility is established, a redetermination for continued participation in SNAP is conducted on a bi-annual basis. Each food stamp household is scheduled for a recertification interview at the end of the initial 12 month certification period in order to document changes in income, expenses, household composition or any other change in circumstances that may affect SNAP eligibility or degree of need. SNAP recipients with earned income, however, are scheduled for a recertification interview every 6 months. It is important to note that the ultimate responsibility rests with the SNAP household in reporting changes in a timely fashion. Failure to comply in this regard, or intentionally withholding information or filing a fraudulent application, may result in food stamp penalties, including a reduction in benefits, durational sanctions or permanent disqualification.

Individuals who qualify for SNAP under the New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) will be eligible for a 48 month certification period. Call the hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

How can I use my SNAP Benefits at Farmers' Markets?
You can use your SNAP benefits at many of the Schenectady County Farmers' Markets and the Schenectady Greenmarket to purchase fruits and vegetables, breads, baked goods, meat, fish and poultry, dairy, maple syrup, honey, jams, sauces, spreas, vegetables, and plants.

An individual must fill out and submit an application to our agency to be considered for SNAP benefits.

Online: mybenefits.ny.gov

In writing: Print and mail or fax the SNAP Application and How to Complete the SNAP Application forms to your local department of social services. Completed applications can be faxed to 858-6834. Completed applications can be mailed to: Erie County Department of Social Services; P.O. Box 120; Buffalo, NY 14201; Attention: SNAP Division.

Information by phone: To reach the SNAP Call Center, call (716) 858-7239.

The New York food stamps program is an initiative by the state of New York and the US government, to provide food to low income families in the state. The program aims to promote healthier choices among the residents of New York by giving them food stamps geared to purchase nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruits.

For convenience and ease of use these food stamps have been incorporated into debit cards and can be used at any location including supermarkets, grocery shops and other businesses that sell food. In order to qualify for the New York food stamp programs one needs to meet a certain set of specific and general illegibility requirements. Once you have established that you meet these elligibility you should proceed to apply for the program. Each application is evaluated and processed on an individual basis, and thus you should make sure that you fill the application carefully and truthfully in order to accurately depict you situation.

If your application for the New York food stamp program is successful, you will receive the food stamps within 30 days, however in special circumstances emergency food stamp benefits can be issued within a shorter time span.

Some of the items that can be purchased with food stamps include:

Human food or food products
Vegetable seeds and food producing plants
Water and ice
Edible items for preparing food such as spices

Some of the things that cannot be purchased using a food stamp include:

Pet supplies
Any prepared foods that are meant to be eaten at the place of purchase be it restaurant or store
Medicines and medicinal products e.g. vitamins and minerals
Gardening items

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for The New York Food Stamp program, you need to meet a specific set of eligibility requirements which are mainly based on income and residence. For you to qualify for the program you need to:

You should however note that in the context of applying for SNAP income means the household's total gross monthly income before taxes and other deductions are made.

You can asses your eligibility status for the New York Food Stamp program which contains an online screening tool:
https://mybenefits.ny.gov/web/otda/prescreening.

Once you meet all these eligibility requirements you qualify for the New York Food Stamp program, and you can start enjoying the benefits of the program as soon as your application is processed.

In order to access the benefits of the New York Food Stamp program, you need to first fill out an application and submit it. There are different application avenues, with the major ones being:

Filling out a Paper Application
Online Application
Seeing application assistance via phone

Filing Out a Paper Application

You can obtain a paper application at your nearest food stamp center or by downloading it at the following Link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/downloads/pdf/foodstamp_app.pdf

Once you have obtained the physical / paper application form, you should to answer all the questions on the application form and make sure that all your answers are in the provided spaces. In the event that you have problems filling out the application forms, you should consult with the New York Food Stamp Program representatives at the local food stamp center.

The next step is to submit the application and copies of the required support documents at the local food stamp centre or via mail or fax to the food stamp centre.

The next step is to setup an interview where you will meet with a program representative, who will ask you questions, concerning your application. During the interview you will be required to provide documentation that proofs your identity, so you should remember to carry them. Some of the things that you need to bring to the interview include:

Proof of Identity (e.g. Drivers license and Identity card)
Proof of address such a house lease, gas or electric bill, or mortgage statement. However this does not apply to individuals who are homeless.
Proof of shelter costs
Those who are working or looking for work, need to provide proof child care expenses

Online Application

Another more convenient application method is to submit an online application. This method is convenient as all one needs is a computer and a reliable internet connection. You can fill the online application at a time and place of your convenience, such as from the comfort of your home.

You can access the online application form, by following this link:
www.a858-ihss.nyc.gov/ihss1/en_US

Application Assistance via Phone

You can request for the application form for the program by calling your nearest food stamp centre through the following number: 718-557-1399. By calling the number you will get the chance to talk to a New York Food Stamp program representative who will guide you through the application process.