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Hochul announces $234 million in additional food assistance for May

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Fri, May 13th 2022 01:35 pm

All SNAP households to receive maximum level of food benefits this month 

√ Nearly $1 billion in supplemental benefits distributed since January

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for May. All households participating in SNAP – including those already at the maximum level of benefits – will receive a supplemental allotment this month, resulting in a roughly $234 million infusion of federal funding into the New York state economy.

"While New York continues to build back stronger than before, there are far too many households struggling with food insecurity," Hochul said. "By providing the maximum level of food benefits to those in need, we can help struggling households make ends meet and keep food on the table. This funding will help ensure countless families can avoid the heart-wrenching prospect of food insecurity as we collectively work toward a more prosperous future for all New Yorkers."

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to all households, including those that ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP – a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level – $835 for a household of four – will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95. These funds can also be used to purchase baby food and formula.

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these extra benefits post by May 21. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post by May 28.

OTDA began issuing the emergency supplemental benefits in April 2020 to those SNAP households receiving less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York state's emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency successfully worked with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households until the expiration of the federal declaration, which is now expected to be extended into July.

New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP, with more than 1.6 million households throughout the state enrolled in the program in February, a 1% increase over the previous month. More than 2.8 million New Yorkers received benefits in February, the most since June 2021.

OTDA Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "No individual or family should be left wondering whether they have the resources to put healthy, nutritious food on the table each month. The additional food benefits provided throughout the public health crisis have played an integral role in helping to allay this uncertainty, while simultaneously helping local businesses and retailers recover throughout our state."

Hochul’s team said, “SNAP benefits play an important role in New York's ongoing economic recovery, injecting nearly $1 billion into the state's economy so far this year. Every federal dollar invested by SNAP generates up to $1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy.

“These benefits are also a critical lifeline for New Yorkers in need. On average, about one in seven New Yorkers – roughly 14% of the state's population – relied on SNAP benefits last year; more than half of recipient households were families with children, and about 48% included an adult over the age of 55 or someone who was disabled.”

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.

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