Important USDA Update to Thrifty Food Plan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a revision of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the benefits will increase starting on October 1, 2021.
SNAP Maximum Allotment – The revision concluded that SNAP benefits should be increased by $36.24 per person, per month, or $1.19 a day. Read the chart below to see what your new Maximum Monthly Allotment will be:
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
MAXIMUM MONTHLY ALLOTMENTS
OCTOBER 1, 2021 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Maximum SNAP Allotments for 48 States and D.C.
| Household Size | 48 States and DC |
|---|---|
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each additional person | $188 |
COVID-19 Emergency Allotment of SNAP Benefits– Emergency Allotments (EA) will be issued to all SNAP households in New York State in August. The distribution of these supplemental benefits began on August 9 and will continue throughout the month. While New York State’s COVID-19 emergency declaration expired in June, the USDA has granted states a month-by-month approval of EAs if they have other public health declarations in place.
SNAP Re-certification has RESUMED for all SNAP households beginning July 1, 2021. If you received re-certification notice by mail or an Access HRA alert, you must submit your re-certification.
SNAP Periodic Reporting and Case Change has RESUMED as of July 1, 2021. SNAP households are required to complete Periodic Report and Case changes in household circumstances consistent with SNAP reporting changes requirements.
COVID –19 SNAP Waivers Extended through September 30, 2021:
- Interview Waiver – Through September 30, 2021, the SNAP office is not required to interview a new or re-certifying household if the applicant’s identity has been verified and other mandatory information has been provided and validated.
- Telephonic Signature Waiver – The telephonic signature waiver that allows SNAP offices to adjust the requirements for recording a telephonic signature for SNAP applications filed over the telephone or submitted without a signature will continue through September 30, 2021.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Rule Suspended – Through September 30, 2022 NYS OTDA will continue to waive the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) three-month time limit rule in all New York State counties through September 30, 2022
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:
- 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.
- Any student that has an “Expected Family Contribution” of $0 may qualify for SNAP benefits.
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. Our staff will help you through the process of applying or re-certifying for SNAP. We will then submit all applications and documents directly to HRA on your behalf.
SNAP Assistance Flyer (English)
