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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
If you live in New York City and need money to buy food for your family, there are several programs that you can apply for. If you need food immediately, please look at our Community Food Connection page which will show you how to access groceries or a hot meal today.
New York City is commited to protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At the 91st Annual Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors, NYC signed on to the Resolution to Protect and Strengthen SNAP in the 2023 Farm Bill.
SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) provides food assistance for 1.5 million low-income New Yorkers including families, the elderly, and the disabled. The program can help you feed your family and afford fresh and healthy food. SNAP comes on a pre-filled debit card and can be used at many locations, including supermarkets, most farmers markets, and some Green Carts. Please click here to see a brochure of relevant infromation.
New York is part of a USDA pilot that allows online SNAP purchases. You can read more about online SNAP purchases on HRA’s website.
Beginning in Summer 2024, New York State will launch Summer EBT, a new program that provides low-income families with food benefits to help buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals. Most eligible children will receive Summer EBT food benefits automatically; however, some families may need to apply. You can read more about SEBT on OTDA's website.
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Who is eligible
The program looks at several things to determine if you are eligible. They include:
- how much money you earn
- how much money you receive from other benefits
- how many people are in your household
- your citizenship or immigration status
What you need to apply
See the SNAP document guide to see the documents you'll need.
How to apply
There are many ways you can apply for SNAP:
- Apply online using ACCESS HRA. You can apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid Renewal all at the same time.
- Apply in person at any SNAP Center or at a participating community-based organization (CBO).
- If you are applying for Cash Assistance, you may apply for SNAP Benefits at the same time at an HRA Job Center.
- Apply by mail or fax: download the application or call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have an application mailed to you. Fax your competed application to 917-639-1111 or mail it to:
Division of SNAP Services, Mail Application & Referral Unit (MARU)
P.O. Box 24510
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
How to recertify
WIC Benefits
WIC provides free healthy food and services to low-income women and their children, including nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other programs and services. Click here for a program brochure.
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Who is eligible
- You may be eligible if you live in New York State and are pregnant, a mother of a baby up to six months, a breastfeeding mother of a baby up to 12 months old, or a parent or caregiver of a child up to age five.
What you need to apply
You need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of where you live.
- Proof of income for each household member who works; documents must be for the last 30 days or proof of participation in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF.
- Immunization records for infants and children.
- Confirmation of pregnancy
- Any WIC Medical forms completed by your health care provider
How to apply
- You can apply at your local WIC agency. Click here for a complete list of agencies in New York State. Call the WIC agnecy to make an appointment.
- Click here to see a link of documents to bring to your appointment.
- A qualified WIC staff member will complete a short assessment during your appointment for all family members applying for WIC. Each person applying for WIC must be present at the local agency at the time of certification.
Nutrition Security Initiatives
A balanced diet can help you lead a healthier life. Access to healthy food varies for different populations, which is unfair and can contribute to health inequity.
To adress inequities in access and make healthy food available to all, we offer a variety of programs to help you and your family eat nutritious and delicious food for every meal.
Click or press the enter key on a program to reveal details.
Health Bucks
- Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all NYC farmers markets. New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP benefits up to $10 per day. Health Bucks are also available through select community organizations.
Get the Good Stuff
- New Yorkers who participate in SNAP can get free fruits, vegetables and beans at certain NYC supermarkets. For every dollar spent in SNAP benefits on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, get a matching dollar (up to $10 per day) that can be used for the next purchase of eligible foods.
Groceries to Go
- Eligible New Yorkers can get monthly credits to purchase groceries for delivery or pickup through an online platform.