Eligibility is based on household size, income, and household expenses. You are not required to screen for eligibility before applying for SNAP.

If you receive SSI/Disability benefits, you can still qualify for SNAP. Receiving SNAP does not reduce your SSI/Disability payments.

If you are a caregiver who is not a foster parent but are financially responsible for a child or children in your care, you may be eligible for SNAP.

You are not required to be fingerprinted to get SNAP.

Download a list of eligibility requirements and necessary documents.

Use the ACCESS NYC eligibility screener.

Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirements

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements are currently waived until February 28, 2025.

SNAP Eligibility for Students

Most able-bodied students ages 18 through 49 who are enrolled at least half-time in college or other institution of higher education are not eligible for SNAP. However, students who are otherwise eligible may be able to get SNAP.

The quickest way to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits is online. You can use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App from anywhere and at any time to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits.

You can also submit documents using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.

Application and Recertification Forms

You must submit a SNAP application form and required documents to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits. A simplified SNAP application form is available for households where no one in the household has earned income and all adults in the household have a disability or are age 60 and older.  

You can get a SNAP application form:

Online

Download a SNAP application from HRA's website in the "How to Apply" section.

In Person

You can pick up an application from any SNAP Center. Find a SNAP Center near you.

By Phone

You can submit your completed and signed SNAP application form and required documents using any of the methods below. The quickest way to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits is online.

Online

Use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App from anywhere and at any time to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits.

You can submit documents using the document upload feature on the ACCESS HRA App. Documents can also be submitted through the HRA Document Upload App.

By Mail

Mail your application to:

SNAP
Mail Application Referral Unit
P.O. Box 29197
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Mail your recertification to:

SNAP
Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
P.O. Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9816

By Fax

Fax your application form along with required documents to: 

• 917-639-1111 – New application
• 917-639-2544 – Recertification 

If you need to submit documents after you already submitted your application form, fax the documents to 917-639-2544.

In Person

Bring your application form along with required documents to any SNAP Center.  All SNAP Centers are accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Find a SNAP Center near you.

You can get help filing your SNAP application and submitting your required documents by visiting a SNAP Center or a participating Community Based Organization (CBO). 

SNAP Center

Find a SNAP Center near you.

All SNAP Centers are accessible for people who use wheelchairs.

Community Based Organization (CBO)

Community Based Organizations can help you complete SNAP applications and screen you for eligibility. Some locations can also help you submit your documents to HRA electronically. 

You can get more information by contacting a Community Based Organization. The hours of operation for these sites may change.

If you submit a new application or a recertification for SNAP benefits, you must have an eligibility interview.

You can have your eligibility interview over the telephone or, if needed, in person.

By Phone

Standard Processing

To help process your application faster, please submit as many documents proving your eligibility with your application or as soon as you can.  The Human Resources Administration (HRA) will review your application and the documents you sent when they are received, and may call you for an eligibility interview over the phone.

If you are eligible for SNAP, you will receive them within 30 days. In some cases, you can get benefits sooner.

Expedited Processing 

Expedited processing allows eligible people to get SNAP benefits within 7 days. Every applicant can get a same day interview if they choose by calling 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669).

You may be eligible if one of the following apply:

• You are eligible for SNAP, your household has less than $100 in cash or other available resources, and you will have less than $150 in gross income (before taxes) during the month that you apply.
• Your combined income and available resources in the month that you apply are less than the total of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities, and phone bills.
• At least one person in the household is a migrant or seasonal farm worker who has less than $100 in cash or other available resources.

Receiving an EBT Card

Applicants who have been approved for SNAP benefits will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card in the mail.

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, defective, or never received, you can request a permanent EBT card online or by phone. You can also pick up a temporary EBT card at your nearest Benefits Access Center (formerly known as Job Center).

If you make your request online or by phone, it will take from 7 to 10 business days for your permanent EBT card to arrive. Permanent EBT cards can only be mailed to the address on record.

For more information, visit the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Assistance for Clients page.

Applicants and participants can find out their SNAP case status online or by phone.

Online

Create or log into your account on the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.

Phone

Using Your SNAP Benefits

Your SNAP benefits are available for you to use while they are on your EBT card. SNAP benefits carry over from month to month with one exception. If you haven't used your SNAP benefits for 274 consecutive days, any remaining SNAP benefits will be removed from your EBT card. If this happens, your SNAP benefits cannot be reissued.

SNAP Periodic Report

If you receive a SNAP Periodic Report, you must submit your Periodic Report or your benefits will stop and your case will close. You can also use the Periodic Report to tell HRA if your address has changed. 

You can submit your Periodic Report:

Online

Use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.

By Mail

SNAP
Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
P.O. Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9816

In Person

You can visit any SNAP center. Find a SNAP Center near you.

Reporting Changes on a Current SNAP Case

If you receive SNAP benefits and have lost your job or had a change in your income, please submit a Case Change request using the ACCESS HRA website. You do not need to submit a new application or visit an office. You will need to submit documents to prove the change you report, which you can do using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.

If, however, you are due to recertify your SNAP benefits in the next 75 days, you must report the change as part of your recertification.  You will be prevented from submitting a Case Change on the ACCESS HRA website during this period.

Learn about the documents you can use and the ways to submit them.

Keep Your Information Up-to-Date

It's very important that HRA has your current contact information. The quickest way to view your case information and update or correct it is by using the ACCESS HRA website or mobile app.

You can also submit updates:

Online

Use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.

By Fax

(917) 639-2544

By Mail

SNAP
Centralized Recertification Mail Unit
P.O. Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9816

In Person

You can visit any SNAP center. Find a SNAP Center near you.

Seniors

If you are age 60 and older, you can get help applying for SNAP by phone.

You must:

• Be a resident of New York City
• Not already be enrolled in SNAP

SNAP Benefits Effective October 2023

A federal increase to the maximum SNAP benefit amount went into effect for all households that receive SNAP benefits on October 1, 2023.

You do not need to submit an application or request this increased amount. Your budget was automatically recalculated and a higher amount will automatically be added to your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. If you have income in your household, you may get less than the maximum. 

The maximum SNAP benefit amount per household size is as follows:

The minimum monthly SNAP benefit amount for eligible one- and two-person households is $23.

Benefit Schedules

The day your benefits are available to you is known as your benefit schedule.  This day may change from month to month and from year to year.

You can check your current schedule by phone. You will need to provide your 19-digit card number.

SNAP benefits can be used to buy:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Seeds and plants, which provide food for the household to eat
• Seeds and plants, which provide spices for use in cooking
• Baby formula
• Water and ice labeled for human consumption
• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy:

• Prepared hot foods in grocery stores or any prepared food (hot or cold) meant to be eaten at the store
• Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Cleaning products, paper products, toiletries, or cooking utensils
• Pet supplies
• Items for food preservation such as canning jars or lids, freezer containers, or food wrapping paper
• Medicines, vitamins, or minerals
• Items for gardening, such as fertilizer or peat moss

Complaints 

You can make a complaint to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) about a retailer that doesn’t allow you to make an eligible purchase. You must provide the name and location of the retailer.

Online

Submit a complaint on the USDA website.

You can make a complaint about SNAP, including:

• Delays
• Expired SNAP benefits
• Staff behavior at a SNAP Center
• How your case is handled
• Stores that set a minimum purchase amount to use SNAP benefits

Online

Fill out a complaint form online.

By Phone

Be aware of a scam using texting to obtain your personal information.  The text might say you were chosen to receive food stamps or SNAP.  

Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or SNAP electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number. If you think the text is a scam, do not reply at all.  Just delete the message.

If you gave your personal information using the link in the text, you should file an Identity Theft report.

If you are a New York City resident and do not know if a request for information about SNAP is real or not, contact HRA by phone.