While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

New York Food Stamps FAQ Sheet

Food Stamps / SNAP

Table of Contents

What Are Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.

SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.

What Can Food Stamps Buy

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.

To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.

People in HouseholdMaximum Monthly Allotment
1$292
2$536
3$768
4$975
5$1,158
6$1,390
7$1,536
8$1,756
Each additional person+$220

You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in New York

To qualify for SNAP in New York, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of New York
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by New York and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable

Steps to Apply for SNAP in New York

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

  2. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

  3. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail, by phone or by fax.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on New York’s Benefit portal here and fill out the SNAP application.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) at 1 (800) 342-3009 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

You can also send an email to nyspio@otda.ny.gov.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using the New York Benefit Portal here.
  • If you applied in person and provided all the necessary information and documentation, you will receive a determination the day you apply.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP

If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.

If you applied in person at a local Social Services office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.

If documents are missing from your application, or the Social Services Office needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail. However, this process should take no more than 30 days.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-6399. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), you can request a Fair Hearing to appeal your decision online, in person, by fax or by mail within 28 days of receiving your determination letter.

To apply for a Fair Hearing by phone, call 1 (800) 342-3334. If you are a speech or hearing-impaired individual, call the TTD Relay at 711 and request they call the department for you at 1 (877) 502-6155.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 1930
Albany, NY 12201-1930 

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-6399. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call New York’s EBT customer service number toll-free at1 (888) 328-6399 or by logging into your EBT account here.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at any Social Service Office in New York and must request a replacement by phone or online.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) SNAP department at 1 (800) 342-3009.

You can also contact the OTDA’s main office at (518) 473-1090 or send your inquiries via email to: nyspio@otda.ny.gov.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Note: Keep in mind that regular office hours have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may be subject to change. Because of this, we recommend calling your chosen office location before visiting to ask about operating hours and any new service procedures.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: June 2025

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in New York

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

  2. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

  3. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail, by phone or by fax.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on New York’s Benefit portal here and fill out the SNAP application.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) at 1 (800) 342-3009 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

You can also send an email to nyspio@otda.ny.gov.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using the New York Benefit Portal here.
  • If you applied in person and provided all the necessary information and documentation, you will receive a determination the day you apply.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP

If you applied for SNAP online, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.

If you applied in person at a local Social Services office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.

If documents are missing from your application, or the Social Services Office needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail. However, this process should take no more than 30 days.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-6399. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), you can request a Fair Hearing to appeal your decision online, in person, by fax or by mail within 28 days of receiving your determination letter.

To apply for a Fair Hearing by phone, call 1 (800) 342-3334. If you are a speech or hearing-impaired individual, call the TTD Relay at 711 and request they call the department for you at 1 (877) 502-6155.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 1930
Albany, NY 12201-1930 

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 328-6399. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call New York’s EBT customer service number toll-free at1 (888) 328-6399 or by logging into your EBT account here.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at any Social Service Office in New York and must request a replacement by phone or online.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) SNAP department at 1 (800) 342-3009.

You can also contact the OTDA’s main office at (518) 473-1090 or send your inquiries via email to: nyspio@otda.ny.gov.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Note: Keep in mind that regular office hours have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may be subject to change. Because of this, we recommend calling your chosen office location before visiting to ask about operating hours and any new service procedures.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: June 2025

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