SNAP The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New

SNAP The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New York State

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We’ll talk about: • What SNAP is • Positive impact of SNAP • The need for SNAP • Eligibility • How SNAP Works

What is SNAP? • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – formerly Food Stamps • New name to reduce stigma • Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) to access benefits

What is SNAP? • Our nation’s and our state’s primary nutrition assistance program. • Stretches the monthly food budget for all who are eligible. • An entitlement program – like Medicare. No waiting list. Receiving benefits does not take away from other people who might be eligible for SNAP.

Did you know? • SNAP benefits can be saved for up to a year for most SNAP recipients. • For most SNAP-eligible households resources are not counted (like cars, savings, burial plots, life insurance, etc. ) • SNAP can be used to buy seeds and plants to grow food.

Did you know? • A portion or all of monthly SNAP benefits may be replaced if a household is without power for 4 or more hours (even if it is because the household could not pay their utility bill). • Some college students may qualify for SNAP. • You do NOT need a Social Security card to get SNAP.

SNAP funding and administration USDA OTDA County Depts. of Social Service All SNAP funding is from the Federal level – NO State or local dollars HRA - Human Resources Administration (NYC)

50 Years of SNAP This infographic, created by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), shows many of the positive impacts of SNAP. www. frac. org

Positive Economic Impacts of SNAP FOOD PRODUCERS FARMERS’ MARKETS RURAL JOBS FOOD SHIPPING SNAP FARMERS GROCERS FOOD PACKAGIN G URBAN JOBS

SNAP in New York State Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

Positive Impacts • Nationwide 4. 9 million people were lifted above the poverty line in 2012 because of SNAP. * • In New York State SNAP kept 381, 000 out of poverty from 2009 – 2012. ** *Source: FRAC, 50 Years of SNAP Infographic, 2015 **Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

Positive Impacts • SNAP benefits help low-income working people, seniors, the disabled and others put food on the table. • In 2014, in New York State, more than 40% of SNAP participants were in working families. Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Feb. 27, 2015

Positive Impacts Children whose families receive SNAP are less likely to be at risk of: • Being underweight • Having developmental delays Source: The SNAP Vaccine: Boosting Children’s Health, Children’s Health. Watch, 2012

Reducing hard choices Sometimes low-income individuals or families have to make hard financial choices, for example: • In 2012, 16% of NYC residents 65 and older paid for medication or health care rather than food. Source: Food Bank for New York City: Fact Sheet: NYC Hunger Experience 2012: One City, Two Realities

SNAP can help! SNAP can help stretch food budgets and families may be able to put money toward other necessities. Clothing Shelter Medicine Transport Other

SNAP is underutilized In New York State approximately 4. 3 million individuals may be eligible for SNAP, yet only about 3 million are currently enrolled.

SNAP Eligibility Many factors can affect eligibility such as: • Payment for child care or adult day care • Payment for child support • Medical deductions (after first $35. 00 per month) for those 60 and over or disabled • Shelter costs

SNAP Eligibility Other factors include: • Income – earned, unearned, exempt or no income • Age and/or disability • Non-citizens – special rules • Student status – special rules for students • And more…

SNAP Eligibility Documentation and verification: • Can seem overwhelming • Types of ID needed can cause confusion – for example a Social Security Number is needed, but not an actual card • Undocumented non-citizens cannot receive SNAP • Homeless persons can receive SNAP

How SNAP works • Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) or Human Resources Administration (NYC) determines eligibility and benefit level based on income, family size, some expenses and other factors. • Income guidelines change annually in October.

How SNAP works • Benefits are added to the EBT or CBIC card. (Electronic Benefit Transfer or Common Benefit ID Card). • Same card used for other benefits like Medicaid.

What can you buy with SNAP? • Most foods • Seeds and plants that will produce food

SNAP cannot be used for: • Alcohol • Tobacco • Non-food items like cleaners, aluminum foil, trash bags, make-up, vitamins, etc. • Convenience food like ready-to-eat hot meals or cold food to be eaten in the store – such as sandwiches made to eat in the store.

EBT Card Use • Accepted at most large food stores and local food stores/bodegas. • No need to separate items when checking out at the store.

SNAP at Farmers’ Markets • SNAP participants can use their EBT cards to buy tokens at over 200 Farmers’ Markets across NYS. • Unused tokens can be kept for next shopping time.

SNAP at Farmers’ Markets • No minimum amount must be spent. • Tokens are in whole dollar amount. • Some Farmers’ Markets add value for EBT users.

Find Farmers’ Markets that Accept EBT http: //www. snaptomarket. com/ www. nyfarmersmarkets. com

Replacement SNAP Benefits • Household misfortune examples: • Power outage – 4 or more hours (perishable food) • A flood (all food can be affected) • Equipment failure • Failure to pay utility bill • Others

Replacement SNAP Benefits • Time sensitive • to report to LDSS/HRA • to submit form • Form available: • at LDSS/HRA • online at OTDA • http: //otda. ny. gov/programs/applications/ • From NOEP

Resources • Local LDSS or HRA • Hunger Solutions New York – for info on hunger and federal nutrition programs in NYS www. hungersolutionsny. org • My. Benefits www. mybenefits. ny. gov • Eat Smart NY http: //otda. ny. gov/programs/nutrition/

Questions?

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