SNAP/FOOD STAMPS

HOW DO I APPLY OR RECERTIFY FOR SNAP DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

You can still apply for SNAP by filling out a paper application and dropping it off, mailing, faxing it, or applying on the NYS MyBenefits site. The MyBenefits site can be reached by clicking the button below.

Like Temporary Assistance, New York State automatically recertified SNAP cases for three months. Now, all cases that are expiring in June 2020 have been recertified through September 2020.

If you started the recertification process but could not return documents because of COVID-19, call the SNAP office or your worker. If you don’t get your benefits and can’t resolve the problem, contact our office for assistance.

In a few cases, DSS may not even need to complete an interview. You may be eligible for Expedited SNAP benefits.  If you are eligible for expedited or emergency SNAP, you will get your SNAP benefits in five (5) calendar days.

SNAP work requirements for some people (called ABAWD) were supposed to start in April, 2020. Those requirements have been suspended because of COVID-19.

ARE EMERGENCY BENEFITS AVAILABLE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Yes. Expedited SNAP benefits are SNAP benefits you can get quickly when you apply for SNAP.

Expedited SNAP is not a new program. You and members of your household may be eligible for them if you are in one of the following categories:

1. Your household has $100 or less in liquid resources and less than $150 in gross monthly income. Liquid resources are money that is available to you, such as cash on hand, bank accounts, savings certificates, and lump-sum payments (tax refunds, retroactive lump-sum Social Security, SSI, or public assistance payments); or
2. You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker without money or resources; or
3. At the time of application, your monthly income and liquid resources are less than your monthly rent/mortgage plus heating/utility costs and utilities (including telephone expenses). This amount for any household size is $661 in 2020.

You will be screened for Expedited SNAP benefits. The only verification needed during the COVID-19 emergency is verification of identity. If you have had benefits in the past the department of social services may already have that verification. The screening must be conducted within a day of your
request for Expedited SNAP benefits. You must receive your expedited SNAP benefits within 5 calendar days if you are eligible. If you do not hear from the SNAP office for the screening, please contact the local SNAP office immediately and ask to be screened for expedited SNAP benefits.

ARE ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE?

Many SNAP households do not get the maximum amount of SNAP benefits. During this crisis New York has decided to increase benefits to those households so that all SNAP households get the maximum amount of benefits during the emergency. The extra benefits have been authorized for March, April, May, June, July, August and September of 2020 and may be extended if the emergency continues.

How will I know if I qualify for the extra SNAP amount?

Look at the chart included below. If you usually get less than the maximum amount for your household size, you will get extra benefits for March, April, May, and June of 2020. For example, a household with 4 people is eligible for a maximum of $646 in SNAP per month. If that household usually only receives $350 per month, they will get a supplement of $296 for March, April, May, June, July and August of 2020. If your household already gets the maximum amount you will not get a supplement.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Allowances

Household Size	Maximum Allotment*
1	$204
2	$374
3	$535
4	$680
5	$807
6	$969
7	$1,071
8	$1,224
For each additional member	$153 +

What do I have to do to get the additional benefits?

Nothing. The state knows which households are eligible and will issue the benefits automatically. You will not get a notice.

What are Pandemic-EBT benefits and how can I get them?

Pandemic EBT benefits are a replacement for school meals for children who receive free or reduced price school meals. If your child is eligible for free or reduced price school meals and you receive Temporary (cash) Assistance, SNAP, or Medicaid, the money will be added to your card. If you do not receive any of those benefits, you will get a temporary EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card that will have the benefits on it. You should receive $5.70 for each child for each day that school is cancelled (approximately $420 per child). The benefits will be issued between early June 2020 and early August 2020.

WILL MY SNAP STOP BECAUSE OF COVID-19?

No – you will keep receiving your SNAP benefits as normal.

WHAT ABOUT MY WORK ASSIGNMENT? DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO  COMPLETE MY ASSESSMENT/PLAN?

Call your local Department of Social Services (see all numbers at the bottom) for questions about  work requirements, assessments, and plans.   Remember, the Department of Social Services  must forgive  you if you have not been able to complete your  work activities  because of COVID-19.

You can complete work assessments and work plans by telephone.

WILL STIMULUS MONEY COUNT AGAINST SNAP?

If you already have SNAP benefits when you get the money, it will not count against your benefits for 12 months. If you still have some money left over after 12 months, it will be counted toward the resource limit (if you have one).

If you are just applying for SNAP, the money will not count for the first two (2) months (the month you get the money and the following month). Any left over money you have after the second month will count against the resource limit; but very few types of SNAP households have a resource limit.  Check with your worker to see about your case to know for sure.  You can also call our office and we will help you find out.

ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING.

You may use SNAP benefits to buy groceries online.

You can use SNAP benefits to buy groceries from Amazon. In some zip codes, you can shop from Walmart and Shoprite.  You can go on the Walmart or ShopRite website to find out whether you can shop from them online.  Depending where you live, Walmart may deliver to your home.

However, keep in mind that you can’t use SNAP benefits to pay delivery fees.

WHAT IF I AM DENIED AND NEED HELP?

If you or someone you know needs help or have been denied these benefits or services, call our office at 847-0650 immediately.  Ask to speak to an advocate from the Health and Economic Security Unit.  We can review your situation and we may agree to take your case.

CAN I STILL REQUEST A FAIR HEARING?

Yes. Most hearings are being done by telephone, but you have the right to request an in-person hearing if you want it. Some hearings are being re-scheduled so they can be handled by phone. If you don’t have a phone or cannot make it to the hearing, ask for an adjournment.  DSS will give you another date and time.

Make sure to include a phone number when you request a hearing so someone can call you. If you get a notice scheduling the fair hearing and did not give a phone number, call the Office of Administrative Hearings at 1 (800) 342-3334 to give them a phone number.

HOW DO I REQUEST A FAIR HEARING?

You can request a Fair Hearing:

By Phone: Statewide Toll-free 1-800-342-3334: Fair Hearing Requests & Inquiries

By Mail:

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

Office of Administrative Hearings

P.O. Box 1930 Albany, New York 12201-1930

By Fax: 1 (518) 473-6735

Online Forms:

WNY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PHONE NUMBERS

• Allegany – (585) 268-9622
• Cattaraugus – (716) 373-8065
• Chautauqua – (716) 363-3500
• Erie – (716) 858-8000
• Genesee – (585) 344-2580
• Niagara – (716) 278-8400
• Orleans – (585) 589-7000 (press 4 for Department of Social Services)
• Wyoming – (585) 786-8900

SOURCES:

OTDA GIS 20 TA/DC016

OTDA GIS 20 TA/DC019

OTDA GIS 20 TA/DC062

OTDA GIS 20 TA/DC074

OTDA GIS 20 TA/DC080

https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/

https://otda.ny.gov/hearings/request/#online