New York Families on SNAP Benefits to Get $95 Boost for February, to be Released from the 17th to 25th

Millions of families in New York can expect additional support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the release of supplemental allotment beginning Thursday, February 17 to 25.

In a statement, the New York governor said that about $230 million in federal funding had been set aside for this boost that will benefit all participating households under SNAP. They should see the supplemental payment, amounting to at least $95 per family, in their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts if they do not normally qualify for the $835 monthly SNAP benefit that a family of four averagely receives per month.

Hochul said that the boost is in aid of food insecurity experienced by many families in the state in the middle of the pandemic. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will cover the disbursement.

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Not The First SNAP Boost in New York

In April 2020, the OTDA also issued additional benefits to families enrolled in the SNAP program who are getting less than the maximum amount per month. The emergency extensions ended in June 2021, but OTDA was able to secure more funding from the federal government to keep giving the boosted amount until May 2022.

According to acting OTDA Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz, the agency acknowledges that the supplemental benefits deliver a critical value to every New Yorker parent who does not have to worry about where to source their food.

But New York is not the only state providing supplemental SNAP benefits to its residents. Virginia is also releasing boosted SNAP benefits to at least 300,000 families. According to WAVY, beneficiaries should see the amount in their accounts as early as Wednesday, February 16.

In South Carolina and Texas, SNAP benefit boosts have also been extended for more than 300,000 households between $36 to $150. In general, at least 42 million families across the country rely on SNAP for their monthly groceries.

Is SNAP the Same as Food Stamp?

SNAP is a federal program developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture given to eligible applicants in the form of debit cards. Every month, the government reloads and replenishes these debit cards with money that parents use to buy bread, meat, dairy products, cereals, and snacks. In August 2021, the USDA expanded the list of food items to be included in the SNAP purchases to also apply to fish and some fruits or vegetables.

This program was previously known as the Food Stamp benefit but was shifted to SNAP because beneficiaries now receive electronic cards instead of paper currency. Residents have to apply for this benefit in their state, which may be approved or declined based on the state's income eligibility.

In New York, questions about SNAP applications and eligibility are underscored in the state government's SNAP FAQ page. Generally, however, a family of three with an average income of $1,830 per month may apply for the benefit. Families with senior household members or a person with a disability are also prioritized for SNAP eligibility.

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