Skip links

Help Getting SNAP

Important Notice for SNAP Recipients

The deadline for EBT Skimming Replacement Claims has been extended to April 1, 2024.
• This deadline is for clients who had SNAP benefits stolen between October 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, and Cash Assistance benefits stolen between January 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023.

Have your SNAP EBT benefits been stolen or “skimmed”? New federal and state rules allow certain SNAP and TA cash benefits to be replaced if they have been stolen through electronic means (card skimming, cloning, third-party misrepresentation, or other similar fraudulent methods such as phishing).

Any SNAP participants who have been affected by EBT Skimming can now apply and claim benefits stolen on or after October 1, 2022, to have those benefits replaced. All the information and forms you need to process a claim are provided in this link: Benefit Replacement.
Benefits stolen on or after August 21, 2023, must be reported within 30 days of the date the household discovers the theft.

If you need assistance, please call Food Bank’s SNAP Call Center at (212) 894-8060, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Contact us via email: snap@foodbanknyc.org. Our staff will help you through the process of applying, re-certifying, and Benefit Replacement for SNAP. We will submit all applications and documents directly to HRA on your behalf.

Important Update: Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card Lock Feature

Households will now have the ability to lock their EBT card, which prevents their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance (TA) cash benefits, or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits issued as cash to a household, from being accessed. 

Cardholders must then unlock the locked card to make a purchase using their SNAP or cash benefits.  

This new feature is intended to be used as a tool to help prevent theft of benefits through skimming or other fraudulent methods. Locking and unlocking the EBT card has no impact on Medicaid or other benefits issuances, including restricted payments directly to a landlord, utility, or other vendor. 

Cardholders can call the ConnectEBT  helpline at 1-888-328-6399 to check the lock/unlock status and speak to a representative to unlock the card (only the unlock function is available through the helpline).  

Clients can lock their EBT card when it is not in use and then unlock the card to make a purchase by following these four simple steps: 

  1. Open or download the ConnectEBT app on their mobile device (available on the: Google Play Store and Apple App Store). 
  2. Securely log into their account. 
  3. Tap the new “Lock/Unlock Card” icon on the home screen. 
  4. Select “Lock My Card Everywhere” and click “OK.” 
Safeguard Your Card

Protect yourself from EBT Skimming

View English/Spanish versions of a guide published by New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance below.

EBT Skimming Flyer (English)

Clonación (Skimming) de tarjetas EBT (Español)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Federal Poverty Income Guideline and SNAP Benefit Allotment Changes Effective October 1, 2022

Infoline Extended Hours of Operation on Wednesdays
The Infoline call center will now be open until 7 pm on Wednesdays! . Hours of operation will remain from 8 am to 5 pm on all other weekdays.

HRA Info Line: 718-557- 1399

SNAP On-Demand Interview
SNAP On-Demand telephone eligibility interviews resumed on June 1, 2022. All new SNAP applications and re-certifications must now include an HRA interview; otherwise, the case will be rejected.

Call HRA at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, for an “on-demand” telephone interview.

SNAP Assistance Flyer (English)

Folleto De Asistencia SNAP

Translate »