New York Food Stamps Income Guidelines
- The Food Stamp Program is administered nationwide by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or more commonly as SNAP. Qualifying residents are issued an electronic card that can be used at most retail outlets. Certain items such as cigarettes cannot be paid for with this card, as the program is intended to cover basic, essential needs of low-income of families. With recent changes, applying for the program and receiving benefits is easy and convenient. Once an Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT card has been issued, the beneficiary's account is automatically credited every month. A PIN number is provided to ensure that only the designated cardholder can access the funds.
- U.S. citizens who are residents of New York State, as well as certain aliens are eligible for the Food Stamp Program. Non-citizens can apply if any of the following conditions are met: The individual is a refugee, asylum seeker, citizen of certain countries, a victim of human trafficking or a Native American members of a federally recognized tribe. The citizenship requirement is waived for aliens with certain disability benefits and veterans or active members of the armed forces. Aliens who have lived in the country for five years or more with qualified status can also apply. Details of eligibility requirements can be found on the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Food Stamps page (see References).
- Income guidelines for qualification are based on household size. For a household with one member, the gross income must not exceed $1,174 per month or $14,088 per year to qualify. A two-member household's income must be below $1,579 per month and $ 8,948 per year and a three-member household under $1,984 monthly and and $23,808 annually. A four-person household's income must be under $2,389 per month and $28,668 per year to qualify. For larger households, for each additional person add $406 to the monthly figure and $4,872 to the annual figure for a four-person household.
These figures are higher for households with an elderly or disabled member. For details, consult the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Food Stamps page (see References). - Since January 1, 2008 most applicants do not face a resource test. In other words, savings, retirement accounts and other invested assets will usually not disqualify an applicant. Keep in mind, however, that eligibility is determined on a case by case basis and applicants may still be required to provide documentation of savings and invested assets.
- You can apply to the Food Stamps program online or fill out a paper application form and submit it to your local Department of Social Services. You can also get help with your application from a community organization (see Resources for a list of community organizations). Online applications are only accepted if you live in a county participating in the Public Online Application Program. To obtain an application form or for general questions about the program, call the Office of Temporary and Disability Services toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3009.