Governor Kathy Hochul announced that for October, all New Yorkers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would receive the maximum level of food benefits this month. SNAP is the federal nutrition assistance program to aid qualified low-income individuals and families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
This month, all SNAP households will receive additional benefits, including those who have already hit their maximum payments. This announcement marks an additional $230 million in food aid. The benefit will result in a $230 million infusion of federal funds into the state’s economy.
Governor Kathy Hochul Declares SNAP Households Will Receive Maximum Food Benefits For October (Photo: Georgijevic)
Households Emergency Assistance To Be Distributed
“During this unprecedented time, as we continue to battle a public health crisis, we must ensure that no New Yorker suffers from hunger or food insecurity,” Governor Hochul said. “By supporting food stamps during this difficult time, we are ensuring that everyone in our state receives a much-needed helping hand so they can make ends meet, support themselves and their families, and be successful.”
The emergency assistance supplement will be distributed to households that do not obtain the maximum amount of SNAP benefits each month. According to a statement from Gov. Hochul, those that are currently close to or at the maximum benefit level would receive an additional payment of at least $98.
Supplemental Benefits Is Used To Buy Food
According to the OTDA Executive Deputy Commissioner Barbara Guinn, additional benefits are providing a welcome boost to the local retailers in addition to delivering much-needed relief to food-insecure families and individuals around the state. They will continue to collaborate with Governor Hochul and the federal government to ensure that these benefits continue to assist New Yorkers in their time of need.
SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should begin receiving benefits this week and continue until Thursday, Oct. 21. The funds will be sent straight into beneficiaries’ current Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed using their existing EBT cards.
Supplemental benefits can be used to buy food at recognized retailers. The unused benefits will still be rolled over to the next month. In total, the state had about 2.79 million SNAP beneficiaries as of August 2021.
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