SNAP News and Updates

New Resources to Help You Connect Seniors and People with Disabilities to SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements are more generous for seniors (age 60+) and people with disabilities than for others. Recent changes in New York State policy aim to further improve SNAP access and participation among these vulnerable groups. Hunger Solutions New York is pleased to highlight expanded information on our website about New York's different programs to help senior and disabled households access SNAP. This information can support your work with these households and enhance your knowledge of the special programs available to them, including: 

The Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)
Seniors and people with disabilities who have no earned income and live in households where all adults are 60 and over and/or disabled can qualify for ESAP. Participants receiving SNAP under ESAP benefit from a simplified application, a longer certification period, and fewer recertification requirements. Learn more on our ESAP page.

NYS Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP) and NYS Combined Application Project (NYSCAP)
Seniors and people with disabilities who live alone and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically enrolled in NYSCAP. NYSCAP is replacing NYSNIP, a similar program that will phase out by 2023. Find detailed information on our NYSNIP & NYSCAP page.

Seniors who are ineligible for ESAP and NYSNIP/NYSCAP may still qualify for SNAP. SNAP rules include special provisions that expand access and maximize benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. See our SNAP and Seniors page or the SNAP Prescreening Guide to learn more.

Pandemic Food Assistance Going to Multi-generational Households in April

The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will issue one-time cash payments for food assistance to SNAP and Temporary Assistance (TA) households that include both an adult who is 55 or older and a child who is 17 or younger. These households will receive $730 per eligible older adult. Payments will be issued on April 23, 2022, to households' EBT cash account.

Families must access their EBT cash account within 90 days of receiving the payment or the cash will be removed from the account. If you work with eligible families, please encourage them to use their benefits before they expire.

These payments are part of a $128.4 million federally funded Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) in New York which was established to provide critical help to vulnerable families with their expenses amid the ongoing pandemic. Please see the March 8 update to the SNAP section of our COVID-19 page for more information.

Join the SNAP & Seniors Professional Network

Sign up today for our SNAP and Seniors Professional Network, an initiative that aims to help service providers connect eligible seniors to SNAP. The Network is a one-stop shop for SNAP policy, best practices, outreach materials, and resources to help providers maximize SNAP for the seniors they serve. The Network is open to any individual or organization that serves the senior population. If you're already a member, please spread the word to your colleagues. Learn more at SNAPandSeniorsNY.org or sign-up here to receive updates. 

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