If you are a New York state resident and have questions about food stamps or SNAP for New York Students, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will explain in detail how SNAP EBT benefits work in New York, who is eligible and how to apply (including in NYC).
Table of Contents:
- What is New York SNAP?
- Are Students in New York Eligible for SNAP?
- Do Students Need SNAP in New York?
- Expansion of Food Stamps to New York College Students
- What is the Income Limit for New York SNAP?
- How do I apply for SNAP as a Student?
- What Happens After I apply?
- FAQs about SNAP for New York College Students
What is New York SNAP?
SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.
The amount of benefits you receive depends on factors like your household size, income, and expenses.
If you are eligible for SNAP, you can get monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
Your monthly benefits will be deposited on a New York EBT Card (see below), which works like a debit card.
EBT Card in New York is also called Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC).
Are Students in New York Eligible for SNAP?
Low-income students between the ages of 18 and 49 who are enrolled at least half-time in higher education may be eligible if they meet any of the following requirements:
- Qualify to participate in a work-study
- Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0
- Attend a SUNY/CUNY community college, comprehensive college, or technical college and are enrolled in a career and technical education (CTE) program
- Attend an Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and are enrolled in a career and technical education (CTE) program, remedial courses, basic adult education, literacy, or English as a second language
- Can meet other SNAP rules
Do Students Need SNAP in New York?
A 2019 survey of 86,000 college students by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, found more than 60 percent had experienced food insecurity within the last 30 days.
A growing body of research also suggests that food insecurity leads to additional stress and fatigue among college students, negatively impacting their ability to concentrate in the classroom.
A study conducted among community college students in 2015 found that food-insecure students were more likely than their peers to have a low GPA (below 2.5).
Nearly 75,000 low-income college students could now begin receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, thanks to a new initiative that expands SNAP benefits (see below).
Recent Expansion of Food Stamps to New York College Students
There have been two recent changes in SNAP policy that have expanded SNAP eligibility to thousands of low-income New York State students.
New Permanent Rule
The first is a permanent change that expands eligibility to students in qualified career and technical education programs.
As of October 1, 2020, a SNAP policy change in New York expanded eligibility to students in qualified career and technical education (CTE) programs.
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has determined that CTE programs, as defined under the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, offered at:
- A community college
- A comprehensive college,
- or A Technology college within the SUNY or CUNY systems are considered comparable to a SNAP E&T program component.
That is because CTE programs at SUNY/CUNY enhance the employability of students or lead directly to employment.
Temporary Change
The second is a temporary change that expands student exemptions in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020, provides funding for nutrition assistance and investments in SNAP that address the rising hunger crisis associated with the pandemic and economic downturn.
The Act temporarily expands SNAP eligibility for students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education.
These temporary student exemptions remain in effect until 30 days after the COVID-19 federal public health emergency is lifted.
To be eligible under the expanded rules, a student must be:
- Enrolled at an institution of higher education at least half-time as defined by the institution, AND
- Eligible for a state or federal work-study program, even if not enrolled, OR
- Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current academic year.
What is the Income Limit for New York SNAP?
| New York City SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | ||
| Household Size | Households without earned income | Households with earned income |
| 1 | $1,396 | $1,610 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $2,178 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $2,745 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $3,313 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $3,880 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $4,448 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $5,015 |
| 8 | $4,839 | $5,583 |
| Each additional member | +492 | +568 |
How do I apply for SNAP as a Student?
There are two ways for New York Students to apply for food stamps:
Option 1 – You can apply for SNAP online
New York City Students
First, go to ACCESS HRA. (If you have an ACCESS HRA account, log in. If you do not have an account, you will have to create one.)
Next, select SNAP – Apply.
- Complete the online application.
- You will be asked several questions about yourself and your household (see sample application to view questions).
- Some questions will require you to submit documents with your application to verify the information you provide (see SNAP Documentation Guide).
- You can upload your supporting documents using the ACCESS HRA mobile app.
Upstate New York Students
The easiest way to get SNAP is to apply online at myBenefits.NY.gov. (If you have a myBenefits account, log in. If you do not have an account, you will have to create one.)
Option 2 – You can apply for SNAP by Mail
New York City Students
Call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have an application mailed to you.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a SNAP interview with HRA may not be required at this time.
If HRA needs additional information, HRA will contact you.
Also, if HRA has everything they need, HRA will make a decision on your case and send you a notice.
Please remember to submit as many documents as you can using the ACCESS HRA Mobile app.
Upstate New York Students
SUNY/CUNY and EOC students
SUNY/CUNY and EOC students should contact their school’s Office of the Registrar (SUNY/CUNY) or Perkins Officer (EOC) for a
verification form before applying.
Need Help Applying for SNAP?
There is help available to you when applying for SNAP:
Contact the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP).
NOEP is free and confidential.
To find your local NOEP Coordinator, visit FoodHelpNY.org.
What Happens After I apply?
After you apply for SNAP, you must attend an interview and submit your verification documents.
If you are approved, you should receive your New York EBT card within 30 days of submitting your application.
If your situation is urgent you may receive an expedited review and get your EBT card within 5 days of applying.
For more on Expedited SNAP, see our post on Emergency SNAP Application.
FAQs about SNAP for New York College Students
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Food Stamps for New York College Students:
Where can I use my SNAP Benefits?
You can use your New York EBT card to buy groceries and seeds or plants that produce food.
For a list of what you can buy with your EBT card, see our post on New York SNAP Eligible list.
Additionally, most farmers’ markets take EBT cards, and some double EBT dollars, including the NYC Healthy Bucks program.
Also, you can use your SNAP EBT card to shop online for groceries, including at Amazon.
How long will the Temporary SNAP Expansion for Students Last?
The 2021 federal COVID-19 relief package provided temporary food assistance for low-income college students.
Now, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants to make the program permanent.
Before the pandemic, eligible college students would have to put in 20 hours of work-study or other employment to qualify.
Gillibrand has introduced a bill that would permanently eliminate the “work for food” requirement.
She said that would make almost 300,000 college students across New York eligible for SNAP benefits.
Food Stamps for New York College Students Summary
We hope this post on Food Stamps for New York College Students was helpful to you!
If you have more questions about your New York EBT or SNAP Benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
For more help on what and where you can use your New York EBT Card, check out our other articles here:
What Fast Food Restaurants Take EBT in New York?
How to Use New York EBT Online at Amazon
Get Free Admissions with New York EBT Card
How to Get a Free Phone With New York Food Stamps
New York to see 25% Increase in SNAP Benefits
New York EBT Deposit Dates for 2021