Help Getting SNAP

SNAP Maximum Allotment – SNAP benefits have increased to 15% from January 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021.

Emergency Allotment of SNAP Benefits – The Families First Act (FFA) will provide additional benefits to all SNAP households that did not receive the maximum SNAP benefits to which they were entitled between the period of March 2020 – March 2021. 

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – All FPUC payments have been extended until September 6, 2021.  An additional $300 will be provided each week to those receiving the Unemployment Insurance Benefit. When determining a client’s eligibility for SNAP, HEAP, or other emergency and ongoing temporary assistance, these weekly payments should be excluded as income from clients’ budgets.

SNAP Re-certification – Re-certifications expiring between the period of April 2021 – June 2021 have been extended for 6 months. If a SNAP participant did not previously get an extension due to COVID-19, they may qualify for this new extension.

SNAP Periodic Report – There will be no negative action taken for failing to return report mailers between April 2021 – June 2021.

SNAP – Students – Students from the State University of New York (SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), and the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) are eligible for SNAP.

Changes to SNAP Student Eligibility – The Federal Emergency Relief Act has changed SNAP student eligibility in the following ways:  

1. A student is eligible if they qualify to participate in state or federal work study, regardless of whether or not the student is actively employed or participating in work study.
2. Any student that has an “Expected Family Contribution” of $0 may qualify for SNAP benefits.