All SNAP Households to Receive at Least the Maximum Level of Food Benefits for January

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for January. All households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – 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. 

“These temporary additional food benefits have helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers avoid food insecurity at a time when so many are struggling with household budgets that have been stretched thin,” Governor Hochul said. “This assistance has helped New York’s recovery from the pandemic by helping families and individuals put healthy, nutritious food on the table — providing much needed relief to New Yorkers.” 

The emergency assistance supplement will be provided to all households receiving SNAP benefits, a federally funded program overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. All households, including those already receiving the maximum benefit for the household’s size and households that formerly would have received a monthly supplement of less than $95, will receive a supplement of at least $95. 

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 continued to work with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households through February.   

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 of a public health emergency, which was extended until January and will enable OTDA to continue issuing these benefits through February.   

The recently approved federal spending bill ends these temporary emergency allotments, after the February supplemental payments are issued. Beginning in March, SNAP recipients will receive just their regular monthly benefit moving forward. For more information, visit otda.ny.gov/EA-SNAP. 

New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP, with more than 1.6 million households, including more than 2.8 million New Yorkers, throughout the state enrolled in the program in November. While SNAP recipients statewide were flat compared to October, they were up 2.1 percent over November 2021, highlighting the continuing demand for these critical benefits. 

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “SNAP is an effective tool in addressing food insecurity and these monthly supplements have had a tremendous impact on New Yorkers in need throughout the pandemic and its immediate aftermath. These additional SNAP benefits have been invaluable in ensuring individuals and families could better cope with rising food costs and access the food they need.” 

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “Governor Hochul’s announcement today of additional food assistance for households participating in SNAP is a win for working families and strengthens our efforts to support those who are most in need throughout our communities and around the state. Providing this much-needed relief will help ensure 2.8 million New Yorkers are able to make ends meet and have the support they need and deserve.”

Representative Joe Morelle said, “We have a duty to ensure families are able to provide for their children and put food on their tables. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s efforts to interrupt the cycle of poverty by extending emergency supplemental SNAP benefits to New Yorkers. I look forward to our continued work together to increase access to healthy meal options and strengthen the future of our community.” 

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 interested in enrolling can check their SNAP eligibility, as well as apply online, by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.