The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps program helps low-income households by supplementing their monthly food budget. If you live in the state of New York and are applying for SNAP, it is important to know how much in benefits you qualify for. In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to calculate how much you will get in New York food stamps.
In this article, we will cover:
- What is New York SNAP?
- How much will I get in New York Food Stamps?
- New York Food Stamps FAQs
How much will I get in New York Food Stamps?
To determine how much you will receive in New York SNAP benefits, you have to follow three steps:
- Determine your Gross Income
- Calculate Your Net Income
- Determine your Monthly SNAP Allotment
Step 1 – Determine your Gross Income
The first step in the process is to figure out your gross income.
The gross income for your household is the total income earned before taxes have been taken out.
If you are applying for New York food stamp benefits, you must determine your gross monthly income to see if you qualify.
Once you know your gross income, use the chart below to see if your income is eligible for New York SNAP.
Here’s how to read the chart:
- Start by finding your household size on the chart.
- Once you have located your household size, look in the next column at the maximum gross income for your household size.
- If the maximum allowable gross income is higher than your total gross income, you may be eligible for New York food stamp benefits.
- When the maximum allowable gross income is lower than your total gross income, you may not be eligible for New York food stamp benefits.
| Household size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Net monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $2,082 | $1,041 |
| 2 | $2,818 | $1,410 |
| 3 | $3,555 | $1,778 |
| 4 | $4,292 | $2,146 |
| 5 | $5,028 | $2,515 |
| 6 | $5,765 | $2,883 |
| 7 | $6,502 | $3,251 |
| 8 | $7,238 | $3,620 |
Each additional member | ➕ $737 | ➕ $360 |
- If your household includes an elderly (60+) or disabled person, a higher gross income might still qualifyStep 5
Step 2 – Calculate your Net Monthly Income
Once you have successfully found your gross monthly income, you will need to calculate your net monthly income.
For help on how to calculate your net monthly income for the New York food stamps income limit, keep reading below.
How to Calculate Your Net Income
Net income for the New York Food Stamps Income Limits is your household’s total gross monthly income minus any allowable expenses.
All allowable expenses should be subtracted from your gross monthly income. To find out what all of the allowable deductions are, continue reading below.
Deductions Allowed for Net Income in 2021
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:
| Earned Income | 20% of gross earnings |
| Standard | |
| Household Size | Deduction Amount |
| 1 – 3 | $167 |
| 4 | $181 |
| 5 | $212 |
| 6 or more | $243 |
| Medical | Allowable medical expenses incurred by elderly or disabled household members in excess of $35 per household |
| Dependent Care | Payments for the care of a child or other incapacitated adult which are necessary for a household member to work, look for work, or attend school or training |
| Child Support | Allowable for payments of legally obligated child support |
| Shelter | Allowable shelter costs (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance on the structure, and utility expenses) in excess of 50% of household income remaining after all other deductions |
| For households with an elderly or disabled member, there is no limit on the shelter deduction; for all other households, the shelter deduction cannot exceed $586. |
Calculating Net Income with Allowable Deductions
Now that you know what the allowable deductions are, the next step in arriving at your net income is to subtract all applicable deductions.
Subtract any Allowable Deductions
After you have determined which allowable deductions apply to your household, subtract those (in order) from your total gross monthly income.
Doing this will give you the total net monthly income for your household.
If you need additional help doing this, use the example below:
| Net Income Calculation | Example for a 4-person household |
|---|---|
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income $1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $178 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,572 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction… | $1,572 – $362 dependent care = $1,210 |
| Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $0 |
| Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
| Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,210 adjusted income/2 = $605 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $605 (half of income) = $95 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,210 – $95 = $1,115 net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test… | Since $1,115 is less than $2,146 allowed for 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
Determine if your Net Monthly Income is Eligible
Now that you have your net monthly income, you can see if your income is eligible for New York SNAP.
Use the chart and follow the steps below to determine your eligibility.
- Start by finding your household size on the chart.
- Once you have located your household size, look in the last column at the maximum net income for your household size.
- If the allowable net income is higher than your total net income, you may be eligible for New York food stamp benefits.
- If the allowable net income is lower than your total net income, you may not be eligible for New York food stamp benefits.
| Household size | Net monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $1,041 |
| 2 | $1,410 |
| 3 | $1,778 |
| 4 | $2,146 |
| 5 | $2,515 |
| 6 | $2,883 |
| 7 | $3,251 |
| 8 | $3,620 |
Each additional member | ➕ $360 |
If you have determined that your gross and net income are eligible for food assistance benefits and would like to know how much you can expect to receive, continue below.
New York Food Stamps Calculator – How Much in Food Stamps will I get?
Once you determine you qualify for food stamps, you probably want to know how much in benefits your household will get on a monthly basis. See the chart below for details. You will find that the maximum benefits you can get is based on the number of people in your household.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
| 1 | $204 |
| 2 | $374 |
| 3 | $535 |
| 4 | $680 |
| 5 | $807 |
| 6 | $969 |
| 7 | $1,071 |
| 8 | $1,224 |
| Each additional member | (+153) |
Note: The allotments described here are for households in New York.
Check out the example for a SNAP benefit calculation below:
| Benefit Calculation | Example |
|---|---|
| Multiply net income by 30%… (Round up) | $1,115 net monthly income x 0.3 = 334.5 (round up to $335) |
| Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum allotment for the household size… | $680 maximum allotment for 4-person household – $335 (30% of net income) = $345, SNAP Allotment for a full month |
New York Food Stamps FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about applying for New York food stamps:
How do I apply for New York SNAP?
How you apply depends on whether you live in NYC or upstate.
For NYC residents, here’s how to apply:
First, you can apply online on ACCESS HRA. Click here to be taken there.
Also, you can call the SNAP Information line at 718-557-1399 to have an application mailed to you.
Additionally, you can pick up an application at a NYC SNAP center.
You can also print out an application and drop off at a SNAP center. Click here to download an application.
When your application is completed, you can fax it to 917-639-1111.
For all other New York state residents, here’s how to apply:
Online:
You can apply online for NY SNAP at myBenefits.ny.gov.
In person:
Additionally, you can apply in person at a local department of social services and SNAP Centers locations.
For a list of department of social services offices near you, click here.
In writing:
Furthermore, you can print and mail or fax the SNAP Application to your local department of social services.
Click here to download an application.
What happens after I apply for SNAP?
Here’s what you can expect after you apply for NY SNAP benefits.
After your application is filed, the local department of social services or SNAP office will review your information and determine your household’s eligibility for SNAP.
The department of social services will contact you if they need anything more than your application to determine your eligibility for SNAP benefits.
Note: If you qualify for SNAP, you must receive them no later than 30 days from the date the local district received your application.
Can I have someone help me apply for New York food stamps?
Yes, you can designate an Authorized Representatives (AU) to help you with your SNAP application.
If you are experiencing a hardship, or are disabled, you may have someone apply for you.
Be sure to print the person’s name, address and phone number on the signature page (page 5) of your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application.
Additionally, you need fill out and sign the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Authorized Representative Request Form and give the completed form to your caseworker or SNAP office.
Is an Interview Required to get New York SNAP?
Yes, an interview is required but this can be done over the phone.
Also, in order to request a phone interview, be sure to write your daytime phone number on your food stamps application.
Additionally, you may have a face to face interview if you choose.
What documentation do I need when I apply for New York SNAP?
When you apply for New York food stamps you may be required to provide the following documentation:
We will need proof of:
- Identification/Citizenship or Alien Status
- Income for all household members who live and eat with you
- Proof of how much rent/mortgage you pay, property and school taxes, home owners insurance, etc.
- Heating Costs
- Student Status (Required for students age 16 and older)
- Proof of how much you pay for day care
How long before the SNAP benefits Office make its decision?
The food stamp office must make a decision on your application within 30 days of the date you submit it.
They will usually issue SNAP benefits going back to the date of your application.
However, if you or someone in your household causes a delay, your application can be held open another 30 days.
In this case, you will not get back benefits. If you delay completing the application for more than 60 days, your application can be denied.
New York Food Stamps Calculator Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
New York SNAP helps limited-income individuals and families buy the food they need in order to stay healthy.
How much you will receive depends on how many people are in your household and the net monthly income of your household.
To be eligible for New York food stamps, a household’s income and resources must meet three tests.
These are Gross Income, Net Income, and Assets Test.
There are three ways you can apply for New York SNAP benefits: Online, In Person, and By Phone.
Questions?
We hope this post on “How much will I get in New York Food Stamps” was helpful.
If you have further questions about New York SNAP or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about NY SNAP and EBT, including:
New York EBT Deposit Dates for 2021
Get Free Admission with NY EBT Card
New York P-EBT Benefits for Summer 2021
P-EBT Extension for NY for School Year 2020/2021
New York Extra SNAP Increase