1. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New York State
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New York State

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3. We’ll talk about: What SNAP is Positive impact of SNAP
The need for SNAP
Eligibility
How SNAP Works

4. What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – formerly Food Stamps
New name to reduce stigma
Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) to access benefits

5. What is SNAP?
Our nation’s and our state’s primary nutrition assistance program.
Stretches the monthly food budget for all who are eligible.
An entitlement program – like Medicare. No waiting list. Receiving benefits does not take away from other people who might be eligible for SNAP.

6. Did you know?
SNAP benefits can be saved for up to a year for most SNAP recipients.
For most SNAP-eligible households resources are not counted (like cars, savings, burial plots, life insurance, etc.)
SNAP can be used to buy seeds and plants to grow food.

7. Did you know?
A portion or all of monthly SNAP benefits may be replaced if a household is without power for 4 or more hours (even if it is because the household could not pay their utility bill).
Some college students may qualify for SNAP.
You do NOT need a Social Security card to get SNAP.

8. SNAP funding and administration
All SNAP funding is from the Federal level– NO State or local dollars
USDA
OTDA
SNAP is federally funded – no State or local dollars in SNAP
County Depts. of
Social Service
HRA - Human Resources Administration (NYC)

9. 50 Years of SNAP
This infographic, created by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), shows many of the positive impacts of SNAP.

10. Positive Economic Impacts of SNAP
GROCERS
SNAP
FARMERS
FARMERS’MARKETS
FOOD SHIPPING
FOOD PACKAGING
URBAN JOBS
RURAL
JOBS
FOOD
PRODUCERS

11. SNAP in New York State
Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

12. Positive Impacts
Nationwide 4.9 million people were lifted above the poverty line in 2012 because of SNAP.*
In New York State SNAP kept 381,000 out of poverty from 2009 – 2012.**
*Source: FRAC, 50 Years of SNAP Infographic, 2015
**Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

13. Positive Impacts
SNAP benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others put food on the table.
In 2014, in New York State, more than 40% of SNAP participants were in working families.
Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

14. Positive Impacts
Children whose families receive SNAP are less likely to be at risk of:
Being underweight
Having developmental delays
Source: The SNAP Vaccine: Boosting Children’s Health, Children’s HealthWatch, 2012

15. Reducing hard choices
Sometimes low-income individuals or families have to make hard financial choices, for example:
In 2012, 16% of NYC residents 65 and older paid for medication or health care rather than food.
Source: Food Bank for New York City: Fact Sheet: NYC Hunger Experience 2012: One City, Two Realities

16. SNAP can help! Clothing Shelter
SNAP can help stretch food budgets and families may be able to put money toward other necessities.
Medicine
Transport
Other

17. SNAP is underutilized
In New York State approximately 4.3 million individuals may be eligible for SNAP, yet only about 3 million are currently enrolled.

18. SNAP Eligibility Many factors can affect eligibility such as:
Payment for child care or adult day care
Payment for child support
Medical deductions (after first $35.00 per month) for those 60 and over or disabled
Shelter costs

19. SNAP Eligibility Other factors include:
Income – earned, unearned, exempt or no income
Age and/or disability
Non-citizens – special rules
Student status – special rules for students
And more…

20. SNAP Eligibility Documentation and verification: Can seem overwhelming
Types of ID needed can cause confusion – for example a Social Security Number is needed, but not an actual card
Undocumented non-citizens cannot receive SNAP
Homeless persons can receive SNAP
2 slides when graphics available

21. How SNAP works
Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) or Human Resources Administration (NYC) determines eligibility and benefit level based on income, family size, some expenses and other factors.
Income guidelines change annually in October.

22. How SNAP works
Benefits are added to the EBT or CBIC card. (Electronic Benefit Transfer or Common Benefit ID Card).
Same card used for other benefits like Medicaid.

23. What can you buy with SNAP?
Most foods
Seeds and plants that will produce food

24. SNAP cannot be used for:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Non-food items like cleaners, aluminum foil, trash bags, make-up, vitamins, etc.
Convenience food like ready-to-eat hot meals or cold food to be eaten in the store – such as sandwiches made to eat in the store.

25. EBT Card Use
Accepted at most large food stores and local food stores/bodegas.
No need to separate items when checking out at the store.

26. SNAP at Farmers’ Markets
SNAP participants can use their EBT cards to buy tokens at over 200 Farmers’ Markets across NYS.
Unused tokens can be kept for next shopping time.

27. SNAP at Farmers’ Markets
No minimum amount must be spent.
Tokens are in whole dollar amount.
Some Farmers’ Markets add value for EBT users.

28. Find Farmers’ Markets that Accept EBT

29. Replacement SNAP Benefits
Household misfortune examples:
Power outage – 4 or more hours (perishable food)
A flood (all food can be affected)
Equipment failure
Failure to pay utility bill
Others

30. Replacement SNAP Benefits
Time sensitive
to report to LDSS/HRA
to submit form
Form available:
at LDSS/HRA
online at OTDA
From NOEP

31. Resources Local LDSS or HRA
Hunger Solutions New York – for info on hunger and federal nutrition programs in NYS
MyBenefits
Eat Smart NY

32. Questions?

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Prepared by a project of Hunger Solutions New York; funded by NYSOTDA and USDA/FNS. This institution is an equal opportunity employer.