2022 New York Food Stamps Increase

It’s a new year and with the continued increase in food prices, one of the questions we have received from New York SNAP recipients is whether there will be an increase in New York food stamps benefits. Specifically, will there be a cost of living adjustment to food stamps benefits in 2022 to make up for the increase in food prices? In this post, we will explain in detail what the 2022 New York Food Stamps Increase will be, the income limits to qualify for benefits, and how much a family of 4 or 5 will get in SNAP benefits.

Additionally, we will provide a list of other food stamps changes in 2022 that may affect your benefits.

2022 New York Food Stamps Increase

If you are approved for food stamps in New York, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:

• Number of people in your household,
• Total amount of your household’s income, and
• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.

The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.

The table below shows the maximum food stamps benefits for households with zero income.

As your income increases, your New York SNAP benefit amount goes down.

How Much will a Family of 4 Get in Food Stamps?

Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 4 will get in New York SNAP benefits.

First, we need to start with the household income.

If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).

Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.

Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.

From the table above, the maximum a household of 4 could receive in New York SNAP is $835.

The result is the amount of your monthly New York SNAP benefits for a family of 4.

Here’s an example:

Example: Emily and her family of four (4) have $1,800 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $1,800) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:

$1,800 Net Income for Emily’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 540 Countable Income
$ 835 Maximum SNAP for 4 persons
-$540 Countable income
$ 295 Monthly SNAP benefits for Emily’s family

How much will a Family of 5 get in New York SNAP?

Using the same example above, we are going to calculate how much Emily’s family will get if they were a family of 5 with the same $2,500 net income.

From the table above, the maximum a household of 5 could receive in New York SNAP is $992.

Example: Emily and his family of five (five) have $2,500 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,500) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:

$ 2,500 Net Income for Emily’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 750 Countable Income
$ 992 Maximum SNAP for 5 persons
-$750 Countable income
$ 242 Monthly SNAP benefits for Emily’s family

Emergency SNAP Allotment for New York to Continue

The emergency SNAP allotment for New Yorkers that were implemented due to COVID-19 will continue into 2022.

That’s according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who said:

“As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet. These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.”

The emergency allotment is provided to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP.

Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.

For the maximum SNAP benefits by household size for 2022, see the table above.

Other Food Stamps Changes in 2022

Here are the other New York SNAP changes in 2022 that may affect your benefits:

New York Restaurant Meals Program

Certain people who get New York SNAP will soon be able to use them to buy restaurant meals thanks to a bill signed into law in October 2021 by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Called the Restaurant Meals Program, the plan is to allow homeless, elderly, and disabled food stamp recipients to use their benefits to buy hot or prepared foods from restaurants and delis that participate in the program.

Prices would be reduced for the food stamp recipients.

Before the Restaurant Meals Program, SNAP benefit recipients were not allowed to use their EBT cards to buy prepared items.

However, that prevented some people who can’t cook or prepare foods on their own from using their benefits.

The Restaurant Meal Program starts January 1, 2022.

Effective Jan. 1, 2022 …
New Yorkers battling hunger & food insecurity will now have more options thanks to a brand new program signed by @GovKathyHochul … “Restaurant Meals Program.”
Details at https://t.co/qFfpsabQtW @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/q28kqRipz0

— Liz Lewin (@LizLewinTV) October 5, 2021

Updated New York Income Limits for 2022

The biggest factor when determining if you are eligible for food stamp benefits is your household income.

Each year, the USDA is responsible for setting the Income Eligibility Standards for SNAP. These standards are then used to perform an income test on all households that apply for food stamp benefits.

The income test is required for all households, unless your household is already receiving cash assistance benefits from the federal government or your state.

Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to be potentially eligible for New York SNAP benefits.

If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.

The New York SNAP Income Limit for 2021-2022 is based on your household’s total income and size.

To see if your household’s income meets the fiscal year 2022 SNAP Eligibility Requirements, use the chart below:

New Allowable Deductions for 2022

To calculate your net monthly income, you must deduct approved household expenses. Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household’s gross income:

• 20% deduction from Earned Income
• Standard deduction of $177 for households with 1 to 3 people and $184 for households with 4 or more people (see chart below)
• Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
• A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
• Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
• Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $159.73.
• A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $597 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).

2022 New York Food Stamps Increase Summary

We hope this post on the 2022 New York Food Stamps Increase was helpful.

If you have further questions about New York SNAP or New York EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about New York SNAP and New York EBT, including:
New York to Get 25% SNAP Increase
Get Free Admissions with New York EBT Card
New York P-EBT Extension for 2021
How to Get a Free Phone With New York Food Stamps
Free Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaways in NYC