October 1 Updates to
SNAP Eligibility and Budgeting Rules

With the start of each new federal fiscal year on October 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) adjusts the standards and deductions that determine the monthly benefit amount an eligible household will receive. Separately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently revised the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which is used to set SNAP benefit amounts, to enable the program to provide benefits that more accurately reflect the cost of a healthy diet. As a result, the maximum SNAP benefit will increase by 21 percent over pre-pandemic levels—raising the average benefit from about $4.25 per person, per day to about $5.45 per person, per day—starting October 1, 2021.

While this revision to the TFP makes a much-needed, long-term change, SNAP households will receive only a modest increase of seven percent in October when the increase takes effect. This is because a temporary, pandemic-related 15 percent boost to SNAP benefits ends at the same time.

Our SNAP October 1 Toolkit reflects these updated SNAP standards and provides resources to help community organizations when working with SNAP applicants. The toolkit includes:

• Online SNAP Benefits Estimator Tool
• Expanded Categorical Eligibility Desk Guide for 2021-22
• SNAP Budget Worksheet for 2021-22
• NYSNIP Matrix October 2021

Read Governor Hochul’s announcement of the October 1 benefit increase for SNAP households in New York.

COVID-19 SNAP Waivers Extended through December

In New York State, the following SNAP COVID interview waivers have been extended and are in effect through December 31, 2021. SNAP offices have a choice in implementing these waivers, although most counties in the state continue to utilize interview waivers at this time.

• Interview Waiver: Through December 31, 2021, SNAP offices are not required to interview a new or recertifying household if the applicant’s identity has been verified and other mandatory information has been provided and validated. Interview waivers also apply to new SNAP applications that are eligible for expedited processing.
• Telephonic Signature Waiver: The telephonic signature waiver that allows SNAP offices to adjust the requirements for recording a telephonic signature for SNAP applications filed over the telephone or submitted without a signature will continue through December 31, 2021.

For more information about these waivers, please see the September 29 update to the SNAP section of our COVID-19 page.

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