COVID-19 SNAP Emergency Allotments to End in February Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, SNAP participants in New York and around the nation have relied on a temporary boost in benefits known as emergency allotments (EA). Emergency allotment payments are the difference between a household’s normal benefit amount and the maximum amount for their household size, with a minimum payment of $95. SNAP EAs helped many of those hit hardest by the pandemic put food the table and continued to provide essential nutrition support during unprecedented spikes in the cost of food and utilities. However, the omnibus bill passed by Congress in December prematurely sunsets SNAP emergency allotments after February 2023, rather than continuing the allotments through the duration of the national public health emergency as originally intended. These unnecessary and harmful cuts to SNAP will hasten a hunger cliff for many New Yorkers. Starting in March 2023, more than 2.8 million SNAP recipients in New York will return to their normal benefit amount, with many seeing a substantial drop in benefits. The steepest cliff will be for older adults at the minimum benefit level who will have their monthly SNAP benefit fall from $281 to $23. This will be a sudden and devastating loss for individuals and families already struggling to make ends meet. Hunger Solutions New York is committed to helping SNAP recipients and community-based organizations understand and prepare for the impact of these cuts. We will provide more information and resources in the days to come. Information about the January distribution of SNAP EA is found in SNAP section of our COVID-19 page. |
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COVID-19 SNAP Interview Adjustment Available to all NYS Counties Through February Through February 28, 2023, 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. For more information, please see the SNAP section of our COVID-19 page. |
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NYSNIP: January 1 Adjustment to SNAP Benefit Allotments Seniors and people with disabilities who live alone and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically enrolled in New York State Combined Application Project (NYSCAP). New York State began to implement NYSCAP in December 2021 as a replacement for the New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP), which is phasing out over time. Anyone who currently receives NYSNIP will be transitioned to NYSCAP at their next recertification. The transition from NYSNIP to NYSCAP will be complete by the end of 2023. NYSNIP benefit allotments were adjusted on January 1, a change that impacted remaining NYSNIP participants. Please visit our website to view our updated NYSNIP/NYSCAP Guide, which outlines these new benefit amounts, and to learn more about New York State’s transition to NYSCAP. |
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