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SNAP Benefits Information
2024-2029 Federal Farm Bill
NYC Opposes Cuts to SNAP and calls on Congress to maintain or increase SNAP funding levels.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as "food stamps") provides food assistance for nearly 1.8 million low-income New Yorkers including families, people who are aging and people with disabilities. The program helps families and individuals supplement the cost of their diet with nutritious foods.
All Cash Assistance and SNAP applicants that have been approved for benefits will receive an EBT card in the mail. If your EBT card has not yet arrived, you can go to the Brooklyn OTC site for your permanent card, or one of seven open center locations for a temporary card that will have all benefits available until the EBT card arrives. Please see this list of locations.
Regarding case inquiries, HRA requires submitting a Client Consent Form to verify a client's consent before releasing case information to a third party.
Please be aware that unscrupulous individuals may use COVID-19 as an opportunity to create a scam in order to steal your personal information. Learn more about this Potential Fraud Scam Alert and other EBT Scams Alerts.
View the Protect Your Benefits - Skimming Flyer (FLY-1095) in:
- 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 to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits. You can submit documents via the “Document Upload” section of the mobile app.
- Download a SNAP application from HRA's website:
- You can pick up and submit an application from any SNAP Walk-in Customer Service Center. Find a SNAP Walk-in Customer Service Center near you.
- You can also visit a local Community Based Organization (CBO) for application assistance, eligibility screening, and to submit documents. Find a CBO near you.
- Call (718) 557-1399
- Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
- You can reach staff during business hours (except for City Holidays). You can get help in most languages. Automated Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
O. Box 29008
Brooklyn, NY 11202 - 917-639-1111 – New application
- 917-639-2544 – Recertification
- Proof of wages for all household members for the last 4 weeks of pay.
- Proof of all income including Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, child support, or a pension.
- Proof of medical expenses for disabled household members or persons over 60 years old.
- Proof of CHANGES in your living situation, address, family size, child care costs, or other expenses.
- By Fax: 917-639-2535
- At a Community Partner: CBO Locations
- By Mail: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, PO Box 29008, Brooklyn, NY, 11202-9816
- In Person: SNAP Locations (or call DSS Infoline at 718-557-1399 for a list of locations)
- With Your Authorized Representative: Please have them submit your completed recertification and documents. If you have not already authorized them to apply for you, they must also provide a completed and signed (by you) “Authorized Representative Request Form” (LDSS-4942) or your written permission that they act as your Authorized Representative for SNAP.
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- Your household has less than $100 in cash or other available resources and will have less than $150 overall during the month that you apply, or
- Your combined income and available resources in the month of application are less than the sum of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities and phone, or
- At least one person in the household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker and his/her cash and bank accounts are not more than $100.
- You have the right to ask for an application for SNAP benefits. This office must accept the application as long as the application is signed and has a readable name (and address if you have one).
- You have the right to apply for SNAP benefits online at www.nyc.gov/accesshra, in person, by mail, or through an authorized representative. A face-to-face interview may be scheduled at your request.
- If all members of your household are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or plan to apply for SSI, you may apply for SNAP Benefits at the Social Security Office instead of turning in your recertification form at the SNAP office.
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How to Apply
How to Apply
You must submit a SNAP application form and required documents to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits. You can use any of the following formats to apply and submit required documents:
Online
SNAP Benefits Application (LDSS-4826):
In Person
By Phone (DSS OneNumber)
To Mail Completed Applications:
To Fax Completed Applications/ Documents:
Fax your application form along with required documents to:
If you need to submit documents after you already submitted your application form, fax the documents to 917-639-2544.
How to Complete the SNAP Benefit Application (LDSS-4826A):
Simplified SNAP Application/Recertification Form Now Available for Seniors and New Yorkers with Disabilities (LDSS-5166):
A simplified SNAP application/recertification form is now available for households where every person is age 60 or older, or has a disability, and no one in the household has earned income. You can download the simplified form below or request an application/recertification kit be mailed to you by calling the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399.
How to Recertify
STEP 0: Determine if you need to submit a recertification form.
If you got a letter from HRA telling you that you can recertify using the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and you have no changes to report, call the phone number on that letter. You do NOT need to submit a recertification form.
Recertifying for SNAP via IVRS (BRC-1051):
STEP 1: Complete your SNAP recertification form.
To avoid an interruption of benefits, complete and submit a signed recertification form as soon as you get a notification letter.
To submit online and save yourself mail processing time, go to the ACCESS HRA Website or the ACCESS HRA mobile app. Log-in or create an account to submit your recertification.
If you do not have a computer or mobile device, you can complete the recertification form sent with your notice. You can also get a recertification form mailed to you by calling 718-557-1399 or by visiting any SNAP center or community partner location.
STEP 2: Call us to have your interview.
Once you have submitted your recertification form, call us to have an interview over the phone. (Please wait a few days to do this if you have mailed/ faxed your application to us.)
1-718-SNAP NOW (1-718-762-7669)
Monday to Friday (8:30AM – 5:00PM)
If you require an in-person interview at a SNAP center, call 718-557-1399 to schedule.
If documentation is requested from you during your interview, you will be sent a notice telling you which documents we need. You will have 10 calendar days to provide these documents.
Instructions for recertifying for SNAP via phone (BRC-901E):
View in:
STEP 3: Submit required documentation.
The more information you can give us now, the faster we can process your case! Submit all of your documents to avoid processing delays.
Proper documentation can include:
Paper recertification forms and copies of your documents can be submitted:
Eligibility Factors
Eligibility is based on household size, income, and household expenses. You are not required to screen for eligibility before applying for SNAP. Your total income, before taxes or any other subtractions, is called gross income. However, certain subtractions from your gross income (“deductions”) are allowed – including housing, monthly medical expenses over $35 (for people with a disability or 60 years of age or older), or dependent care.
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 necessary documents.
Learn more about income requirements.
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, 2026.
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.
Learn more about SNAP student eligibility.
View the SUNY/CUNY/EOC Student Verification of Enrollment Form (LDSS-5172) in:
SNAP On Demand
Once you submit your online SNAP application or your recertification, call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday to complete your interview. Please remember to upload your documents using the ACCESS HRA app.
Expedited Benefits
You may be able to get Expedited Processing if:
For more information call the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399.
Use Your SNAP Benefits Online & At Farmers Markets
You can now use your SNAP benefits to shop online for fresh produce and groceries.
SNAP benefits can also be used year-round at all NYC farmers markets through “Health Bucks.” Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all NYC farmers markets. For every $2 spent at farmers markets using SNAP on an EBT card, you can get $2 in Health Bucks, up to $10 per day.
Emergency Food Assistance
For information about emergency food program locations and hours of operation please use the interactive Food Help NYC Map or call 311. Agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also download a list of NYC Food Pantries and Community Kitchens.
Want to work with HRA to provide food assistance? Find information on how to become a Community Food (CFC) Connection Provider.
Repaying a SNAP Overpayment
The Division of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Claims & Recovery (SNAP-CR) makes sure that all SNAP benefits comply with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State regulations. If extra benefits might have been paid, SNAP-CR reviews the case for accuracy. If SNAP-CR finds that extra benefits were paid, it establishes an overpayment claim with the State. SNAP-CR can recover overpayments on both open and closed cases. SNAP-CR also implements and lifts Intention Program Violation (IPV) sanctions.
SNAP-CR answers questions on billing inquiries, assists with US Department of the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) questions, and tracks money received on SNAP claims.
Questions? Please contact us:
Email: snapclaimandrecovery@dss.nyc.gov
DSS OneNumber: 718-557-1399
Please send payments to:
New York City Department of Social Services/HRA
Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration
SNAP Claims and Recovery
375 Pearl Street, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Make checks payable to the "HRA Department of Social Services"
Please include on the check or money order:
1. Signature
2. Date
3. Dollar amount written out on check
4. Case Name
5. Case Number
Applicant Rights
SNAP Need to Know Brochure (BRC-100)
Looking for a helpful overview to the SNAP application process?
View the SNAP Need to Know Brochure in:
SNAP Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? View our SNAP Frequently Asked Questions.
Read the SNAP Nondiscrimination Statement.