Every person enrolled in SNAP in New York is eligible to get the maximum benefit level allowable, based on their income and household size. However, not all New Yorkers get the maximum food stamps they are eligible for. The number one reason for this is a lack of understanding of the food stamps application rules. In this post, we will walk you through how to get more food stamps in New York by correctly calculating your income, knowing what deductions you can take, and making sure you take the maximum allowable deductions to get the benefit amount you are eligible for.
How to Get More Food Stamps in New York
Here are the steps to follow to make sure you get the maximum SNAP benefit level allowable, based on their income and household size
Step 1 – Make sure you know the SNAP Income Limit for New York
The first step in making sure you get the maximum SNAP benefits you are eligible for is to know the income limit.
This is important because income is the number one factor that determines how much SNAP benefits you will get.
Knowing the income limit allows you to calculate your Gross and Net Income, from which the allowable deductions will be taken from.
For 2022, here’s the New York SNAP Income Limit:
| 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 |
For instructions on how to determine your gross and net income, see our post on New York SNAP Income Limit.
Step 2 – Know the Maximum SNAP Allotment per Household Size
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.
The table below shows the maximum SNAP allotment per household size for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
| Household Size | New York SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each Additional Member: | +$188 |
Step 3 – Calculate How Much will Get in Food Stamps
The most important step in the process is to calculate how much you are likely to get in SNAP benefits based on your income and household size.
We are going to calculate the SNAP benefits amount for a family of 4 as an example.
Follow the same steps below to calculate the SNAP amount for your household.
Example: SNAP amount for a family of 4
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 Illinois SNAP is $835.
The result is the amount of your monthly Illinois SNAP benefits for a family of 4.
Here’s an example:
Example: Jessica and her family of four (4) have $1900 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $1,900) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$1,900 Net Income for Jessica’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 570 Countable Income
$ 835 Maximum SNAP for 4 persons
-$570 Countable income
$ 265 Monthly SNAP benefits for Jessica’s family
Step 4 – Claim Your Deductions
In order to calculate your net income to determine your eligibility for New York SNAP, you have to take your household’s total gross monthly income minus any allowable expenses.
All allowable expenses should be subtracted from your gross monthly income.
As mentioned above, knowing what deductions are allowable is a key part in making sure you get the maximum SNAP benefit your household is eligible for.
To find out what all of the allowable deductions are, continue reading below.
New York SNAP Deductions Allowed for Net Income in 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:
| 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. |
New York City SNAP EBT FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about New York City SNAP/EBT benefits:
Which Grocery Stores Accept New York SNAP EBT Online?
New York is one of the first states first implement SNAP online purchasing. Here’s the list of Grocery stores that accept New York SNAP EBT online:
Walmart
As of January 2022, Walmart has expanded online grocery purchases to all New York locations. See store details for Pickup and delivery options.
Amazon
Beginning April 30, 2020, Amazon will offer online grocery purchases across New York through:
- Amazon Grocery
- Amazon Fresh (where available)
Although Whole Foods accepts SNAP in stores, online grocery delivery is not available from Whole Foods at this time.
Aldi
As of December 2020, Aldi is partnering with Instacart to offer online grocery purchases through its New York locations. Find additional details on the Instacart website.
Other Grocery stores that take New York SNAP EBT online include:
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Ferreira Foodtown
- Food Bazaar
- Foodtown-Freshtown
- Hannaford
- Manhattan Fruit Market
- My Foodtown
- Price Chopper Supermarkets
- ShopRite
- Stop & Shop
- Tops Market
What items cannot be purchased with SNAP Benefits?
Here is the list of items you cannot purchase with your New York SNAP EBT benefits:
- Prepared hot foods in grocery stores
- Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
- Cleaning products, paper products, toiletries, and cooking utensils
- Pet supplies
- Items for food preservation such as canning jars and lids, freezer containers, or food wrapping paper
- Medicines, vitamins, or minerals
- Items for gardening such as fertilizer and peat moss
What is NYC Health Bucks?
Health Bucks are $2 coupons sponsored by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all NYC farmers’ markets.
It is a nutrition incentive program that aims to increase the purchasing power of food stamp recipients by doubling their SNAP EBT dollars at eligible farmers’ markets.
This incentive stretches a SNAP budget and encourages shoppers to spend more of their monthly food assistance allotment on fresh produce from the market.
Additionally, the Health Bucks program helps residents of low-income neighborhoods increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Beginning in 2021, spend $2 in SNAP/EBT/P-EBT, and receive a bonus of $2 Health Buck up to $10 per visit!
There are currently over 139 farmers’ markets in NYC that offer the program. For a location near you, continue reading below.
How to Get More Food Stamps in New York Summary
We hope this post on how to get more Food Stamps in New York 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
Does Trader Joe’s take Food Stamps?
New York to see 25% Increase in SNAP Benefits
New York EBT Deposit Dates for 2021
NYC ACCESS HRA Mobile App for Android and iPhone